President Biden OKs 11-Week Government Funding Extension

President Joe Biden approved a stopgap bill Friday to keep U.S. government operations funded at the existing level through Dec. 16 and head off a federal shutdown before the midnight deadline, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Senate voted 72-25 Thursday afternoon to pass the continuing resolution, followed by the House’s passage of the legislation through a 230-201 vote the following day before it became law with Biden’s signature.

The government funding extension measure includes $12.35 billion for the U.S. to continue Ukraine-related assistance as the latter’s conflict with Russia escalates.

According to a fact sheet on the bill, the Department of Defense’s inspector general office will receive $2 million to monitor, safeguard and report the use of funds intended for Ukrainian military training, weapons, equipment, logistics support and direct government financial aid.

Lawmakers could take up a defense appropriations bill when they return in November after a break ahead of the midterm elections, the WSJ report states.

The stopgap bill also works as a temporary measure to give Congress more time to hammer out an omnibus appropriations package for fiscal year 2023.

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