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US Congress passes no-shutdown law: government closure avoided at Christmas

Federal funding guaranteed until March and over 800,000 workers saved from shutdown

After weeks of tight negotiations, the US Congress passed a bill that avoids a shutdown, preventing a government shutdown at Christmas time. This bill ensures funding for federal agencies until mid-March, guaranteeing continuity for the government and saving Christmas for more than 800,000 workers who risked being left without pay. The decisive vote came shortly after the midnight deadline, with senators abandoning normal procedures to expedite approval.

Schumer: ‘A bipartisan success for America’

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the bipartisan approach that led to the passage of the package. ‘It’s good news that the bipartisan approach ultimately prevailed,’ Schumer said during a speech on the Senate floor, adding that the agreement represents ’a good outcome for America and the American people.’ The risk of a prolonged shutdown would have created serious economic and social damage, with most government activities suspended.

Shutdown: a nightmare for every president

A shutdown is one of the worst nightmares a US president can face. It occurs when Congress fails to pass the necessary spending bills for the federal budget before 1 October. When this happens, much of government activity comes to a halt, with serious repercussions for public services and federal workers. To avoid these situations, Congress often passes temporary laws, such as the ‘continuing resolution’, a kind of temporary exercise that allows the government to function in the absence of a final budget.

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