The US government narrowly prevented complete collapse as Congress made a mad dash to the finish line to pass a spending bill just minutes after midnight. With federal workers nearing not getting holiday pay, and public services hanging by the thread, lawmakers raced to yank the nation from the brink of disaster.
The chaos worsened as billionaire Elon Musk denounced the proposed budget, which drew praise from president-elect Donald Trump. Trump’s efforts to lift the debt ceiling for two years failed in a heated vote Thursday that sent Congress into turmoil.
In a dramatic 85-11 Senate vote, a funding bill passed 38 minutes past midnight. The Republican-controlled House had earlier approved it with overwhelming bipartisan support (336-34). The delay missed the deadline but narrowly avoided shutdown procedures. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it into law.
