Biden signs bill to fund US government through March, avoiding shutdown

U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law a bill on Saturday that funds the federal government through mid-March, preventing a shutdown just days before Christmas, the White House confirmed.

The legislation passed Congress in the early hours of Saturday following intense negotiations, including pressure from incoming president Donald Trump. Lawmakers managed to avoid a looming halt in government services ahead of the holiday season, ensuring continued operation of essential federal functions.

Despite missing the Friday midnight deadline, lawmakers fast-tracked the new bill to a vote, funding the government until mid-March.

“It’s good news that the bipartisan approach prevailed in the end… It’s a good outcome for America and the American people,” said Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a Senate speech.

While the Senate, controlled by Democrats, was expected to pass the bill without issue, there were concerns that delays could push the funding debate into the following week. If that had happened, non-essential government operations would have been halted, with up to 875,000 workers furloughed and 1.4 million more working without pay.

Congress regularly faces challenges in setting government budgets, with a close divide between Republicans and Democrats. However, the drama escalated after Trump and Tesla, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, his incoming “efficiency czar,” pressured Republicans to walk away from a deal they had negotiated with Democrats.

Two attempts to reach a new compromise failed, leaving Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson scrambling to find a solution on Friday.

Had the bill failed, non-essential government functions would have been suspended, with key services like law enforcement continuing but without pay until the government resumed operations. Many national parks and monuments would have closed at a time when millions of visitors were expected.

Musk’s influence draws criticism

The funding bill passed includes $110 billion in disaster aid and financial relief for farmers but excluded certain provisions, such as pharmaceutical reforms, congressional pay raises, and restrictions on U.S. investments in China. These exclusions have raised questions about Musk’s influence, with some Democrats directly linking the changes to him.

“Musk’s ties to China and Tesla’s significant investments in the country raise questions as to why he urged House Republican leadership to abandon the original deal,” Representative Rosa DeLauro wrote in a letter to Congressional leadership.

Musk’s growing influence over the Republicans and his apparent sway with Trump have become focal points of criticism. The unelected billionaire’s ability to shape legislation has raised concerns among Democrats and some Republicans alike.

“Last time I checked, Elon Musk doesn’t have a vote in Congress,” said Georgia House Republican Rich McCormick. “He has influence, but I have 760,000 people who voted for me to do what’s right for them.”

While Trump was willing to see a shutdown if his priorities were not included, the passage of the bill showed that his influence over Republicans in Congress has limits. However, Johnson remained optimistic, telling reporters that the upcoming shift in power in January would bring about a “sea change” in Washington.

“President Trump will return to DC and to the White House, and we will have Republican control of the Senate and the House,” Johnson said. “Things are going to be very different around here.”