In order to avoid a government shutdown that would worsen the economic turmoil that has characterized President Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office, the US House of Representatives has agreed a temporary solution.
In a mainly party-line vote, the legislative chamber decided to extend government funding through September 30. This will allow Trump to use the summer months to push his program of mass deportations, tax cuts, and increased energy output through Congress.
The drama now moves to the Republican-led Senate, which needs to provide its own approval before Friday night’s midnight shutdown deadline.
Laying down the gauntlet for the upper chamber minority, House Speaker Mike Johnson, said it now decision time for Senate Democrats to cast a vote to keep the government open or be responsible for shutting it down.
The threat of a weekend shutdown comes with Wall Street reeling from Trump’s trade war and radical cuts to federal spending that have seen tens of thousands of layoffs.
Trump’s election had first caused traders to react with excitement, but a three-week market sell-off has resulted from rising concerns that his tariffs may rekindle inflation and cause a recession.
It is believed that the government will come to a complete standstill if the Senate does not follow the House, which could result in the furloughing of tens of thousands of public employees when federal agencies close.
