Congress Unveils Continuing Resolution To Fund Federal Government Through March 14 | EUROtoday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap spending invoice that may hold the federal authorities funded by March 14 and supply greater than $100 billion in emergency assist to assist states and native communities get better from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and different pure disasters.

The measure would forestall a partial authorities shutdown set to start after midnight Friday. It would kick last choices on this price range yr’s spending ranges to a brand new Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. The persevering with decision typically continues present spending ranges for businesses.

Passage of the measure is likely one of the last actions that lawmakers will take into account this week earlier than adjourning for the vacations and making approach for the following Congress. It’s the second short-term funding measure the lawmakers have taken up this fall as they struggled to move the dozen annual appropriations payments earlier than the brand new fiscal yr started Oct. 1, as they usually do.

The invoice will present $100.4 billion in catastrophe aid, with an extra $10 billion in financial help for farmers.

“We have to be able to help those who are in these dire straits,” mentioned House Speaker Mike Johnson informed reporters.

Net farm earnings is projected to say no 4.1% this yr after falling 19.4% the yr earlier than from the file highs reached in 2022. Johnson indicated extra farm assist may very well be delivered within the subsequent Congress, saying “we can’t do all it right now.”

“Congress is doing the best it can under difficult circumstances, and I think it will be a big boost for the industry,” Johnson mentioned.

Rep. Glenn Thompson, the Republican chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, mentioned he hoped for extra financial aid for farmers, however “it’s a great start.”

“I think it’s going to send the right signal to the markets that most farmers and ranchers are going to be able to get eligible for the credit they need to borrow in order to plant a crop or raise a herd,” Thompson mentioned.

President Joe Biden has sought about $114 billion in catastrophe assist, submitting a $99 billion request in November, telling lawmakers the funding was “urgently needed.” The administration subsequently up to date its request to incorporate funding to restore federal services broken as a result of pure disasters.

The largest share of the cash, about $29 billion, will go to the principle catastrophe aid fund on the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The fund helps with particles elimination, repairing public infrastructure and offering monetary help to survivors. About $21 billion goes to assist farmers who’ve skilled crop or livestock losses.

Another $8 billion will go to assist rebuild and restore highways and bridges in additional than 40 states and territories. And some $12 billion would go towards serving to communities get better by block grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. About $2.2 billion would go to low-interest loans for companies, nonprofits and owners making an attempt to rebuild after a catastrophe.

As it usually does, Congress is anticipated to behave simply earlier than one other shutdown deadline. House Republicans typically give lawmakers 72 hours to overview textual content of the laws, which might push a vote on last passage to Friday in the event that they comply with by on that rule. The Senate will not be identified for performing speedily, however many lawmakers are anxious to adjourn for the yr and make approach for the following Congress.

Since the invoice is the final must-pass laws of the present Congress, lawmakers have labored to get sure priorities included. On the well being care entrance, the laws seeks to increase protection of telehealth appointments for Medicare enrollees and rein in how a lot cash pharmacy advantages managers — the businesses that negotiate how and what medicine are lined by insurance coverage — make off these offers.

Associated Press employees writers Stephen Groves and Amanda Seitz contributed to this report.