USA, "temporary" bill approved to avert Shutdown

The US Senate voted in favor of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's proposal to avoid the Shutdown of federal activities, at midnight this Saturday, 6 in the morning in Italy, and gain another 45 days to find an agreement on the spending law. To pass, the measure needs support from Democrats, as well as Republicans.

The bill was approved with 88 votes in favor and 9 against. The measure, which had previously obtained the green light of the House, refinances the government's activities for 45 days, but excludes new aid to Ukraine. All that is needed to become law is President Joe Biden's signature.

The House of Representatives, with a Republican majority, had voted in favor of McCarthy's proposal, which postpones the shutdown for 45 days, financing federal activity with 16 billion dollars. The spending resolution includes natural disaster relief, but not additional funding for Ukraine or border security. In the House the votes in favor were 335, against 91. The only Democrat to vote against was Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois.

“For weeks, the most extreme Republicans have held the House hostage,” Biden commented after the vote, but stressed: “We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be cut off. I expect the President of the Chamber maintains its commitment to the Ukrainian people and ensures approval of the necessary support to help Ukraine at this critical moment."