Government shutdown 2021 LIVE – Biden signs bill passed by House and Senate to avoid Federal emergency
PRESIDENT Joe Biden has signed a stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown after it was passed by the House and Senate on Thursday.
The bill extends government funding through December 3. Previously, the funding was set to expire at midnight.
President Biden signed the bill into law shortly after it was approved and just hours before the midnight deadline to avoid a Federal emergency, two administration officials told CBS News.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement on the Senate floor earlier in the day about the bill passing there, saying, "Some good news — today the Senate will pass a continuing resolution that will eliminate the possibility of a government shutdown tonight."
The stopgap bill will keep the government running into early December as well as "provide funding to help process and resettle Afghan refugees and finally deliver on critical disaster aid for Americans battered by storms and wildfires this summer," the majority leader said.
According to Reuters, a government shutdown includes "the shuttering of some national parks, fewer airport security screenings, an interruption to public health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually an interruption in benefit checks to veterans and retirees and keeping national parks open.”
Read our government shutdown live blog for the latest news and updates...
WHAT DID BIDEN SAY AFTER THE BILL’S PASSAGE?
President Joe Biden said in a statement: “There’s so much more to do.
“But the passage of this bill reminds us that bipartisan work is possible and it gives us time to pass longer-term funding to keep our government running and delivering for the American people.”
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT
The White House announced the bill was signed by President Biden with the following statement: “On Thursday, September 30, 2021, the President signed into law:
“H.R. 5305, the ‘Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act’ which includes a short-term continuing resolution that provides fiscal year 2022 appropriations to Federal agencies through December 3, 2021, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government; includes supplemental appropriations for disaster relief; includes supplemental appropriations for Afghanistan evacuees; and extends several expiring authorizations.
“Thank you to Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman Richard Shelby, Chair Rosa DeLauro, and Ranking Member Kay Granger for their leadership.”
PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVOIDED
Congress passed legislation and ultimately avoided a partial federal government shutdown.
The passing of the bill allows the government to stay funded until December 3.
DETAILS OF THE BILL
The stopgap bill will keep the government running into early December as well as “provide funding to help process and resettle Afghan refugees and finally deliver on critical disaster aid for Americans battered by storms and wildfires this summer,” Chuck Schumer said.
THE MOMENT IT HAPPENS
Watch the moment the Senate passes the bill as it moves to the House of Representatives.
WHAT DOES THE BILL PROVIDE?
The short-term spending legislation will also provide approximately $28.6 billion in disaster relief for people recovering from Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters, according to The Associated Press.
Around $10billion of that money will help farmers pay for crop losses that resulted from drought, wildfires, and hurricanes.
And approximately $6.3 billion will assist in supporting the resettlement of Afghanistan evacuees.
WHAT DID JEN PSAKI SAY?
Jen Psaki criticized Republicans for blocking attempts to raise the debt ceiling.
“Republicans are playing politics with an economic catastrophe, and they’re treating a calamity for working families like a DC game,” she said.
“Senator Rick Scott, and this is a real quote, I will note, ‘This is going to be a ball, I’m going to have so much fun.’ That’s about the debt limit, Senator Kevin Cramer, ‘It’s sort of fun to watch,’ and Senator Cornyn said yesterday that Republicans would use every tool at their disposal to slow Democrats from doing this on their own,” she said.
“What we’re trying to do, right now is… do it on our own, that is what Leader Schumer is working to proceed and working to move forward on,” Psaki added. “And obviously, as you know, Republicans have blocked that effort. So of course, we’re going to continue to press, we’re not going to let up on that, on Republicans to do what’s responsible, to protect the full faith and credit of the United States as has been done 80 times in the past.”
‘NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION’
Representative Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, said on Thursday, according to The New York Times: “This bill is not a permanent solution.
“I look forward to soon beginning negotiations with my counterparts across the aisle and across the Capitol to complete full year government funding bills.
“The American people are capable of building a future that is stronger and more prosperous as long as they have the tools they need to do it.
“This bill helps ensure that they have those tools.”
SIGNED BILL FUNDS CRITICAL NEEDS
President Joe Biden took to Twitter after signing the continuing resolution to fund the US government through December.
Biden wrote: "Tonight I signed the continuing resolution to fund our government through December.
"It funds critical needs like our COVID-19 response, resettling our Afghan allies, and disaster assistance — and gives us more time to pass longer-term funding and deliver for the American people."
PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVOIDED
Congress passed legislation and ultimately avoided a partial federal government shutdown.
The passing of the bill allows the government to stay funded until December 3.
THE MOMENT IT HAPPENS
Watch the moment the Senate passes the bill as it moves to the House of Representatives.
‘A GOOD OUTCOME’
After the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “This is a good outcome, one I’m happy we are getting done.
“With so many things to take care of in Washington, the last thing the American people need is for the government to grind to a halt.”
The bill passed in the Senate 65-35 and in the House 254-175.
‘NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION’
Representative Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, said on Thursday, according to The New York Times: “This bill is not a permanent solution.
“I look forward to soon beginning negotiations with my counterparts across the aisle and across the Capitol to complete full year government funding bills.
“The American people are capable of building a future that is stronger and more prosperous as long as they have the tools they need to do it.
“This bill helps ensure that they have those tools.”
SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED PART 3
“Finally, those waiting on certain types of capital would have to wait longer.
“A government shutdown would halt many of the activities currently undertaken by the Small Business Administration which means the thousands of small business loans and grants still being processed for disaster aid, COVID assistance, working capital, and longer-term financing would be significantly delayed, as well as any other assistance the SBA provides, such as counseling and educational services.”
SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED PART 2
“Other small businesses that provide services such as research, consulting, delivery, transportation, technology, landscaping, and construction work to a government-owned facility or agency could also have to wait.
“Small companies in need of government help would also find themselves in limbo. A government shutdown would essentially stop these types of services that the federal government provides to most firms.
“So if you’re waiting for a passport, an OSHA safety inspection, a decision on a federal court case, regulatory clearance on a product, or a patent approval, or if you need help from the Internal Revenue Service, you could be twiddling your thumbs for a while.”
HOW A SHUTDOWN COULD AFFECTS SMALL BUSINESSES
The Philadelphia Inquirer described how small businesses could feel the effect of a shutdown.
It writes that “many small firms that do business — indirectly or directly — with the federal government could see cash flow dry up, at least temporarily.
“That’s because a shutdown puts a stop to most payments due under federal contracts.
"So if you’re doing work directly for the federal government or you’re a subcontractor in a federally funded project, any invoices you have coming due would remain open until political differences get resolved.”
DISASTER RELIEF
The short-term spending legislation will also provide about $28.6 billion in disaster relief for those recovering from Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters, and help support Afghanistan evacuees from the 20-year war between the U.S. and the Taliban.
DETAILS OF THE BILL
The stopgap bill will keep the government running into early December as well as “provide funding to help process and resettle Afghan refugees and finally deliver on critical disaster aid for Americans battered by storms and wildfires this summer,” Chuck Schumer said.
WHAT DOES THE BILL PROVIDE?
The short-term spending legislation will also provide approximately $28.6 billion in disaster relief for people recovering from Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters, according to The Associated Press.
Around $10billion of that money will help farmers pay for crop losses that resulted from drought, wildfires, and hurricanes.
And approximately $6.3 billion will assist in supporting the resettlement of Afghanistan evacuees.
SCHUMER BEFORE THE FINAL VOTE
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the Senate vote a "glimmer of hope."
"For this moment, this is one of the biggest problems that has faced us in the last while, making sure the government stays open, and now we can be sure it will," Schumer said on the floor before the final vote.
WHAT DID BIDEN SAY AFTER THE BILL'S PASSAGE?
President Joe Biden said in a statement: "There’s so much more to do.
"But the passage of this bill reminds us that bipartisan work is possible and it gives us time to pass longer-term funding to keep our government running and delivering for the American people."
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT
The White House announced the bill was signed by President Biden with the following statement: "On Thursday, September 30, 2021, the President signed into law:
"H.R. 5305, the 'Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act' which includes a short-term continuing resolution that provides fiscal year 2022 appropriations to Federal agencies through December 3, 2021, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government; includes supplemental appropriations for disaster relief; includes supplemental appropriations for Afghanistan evacuees; and extends several expiring authorizations.
"Thank you to Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman Richard Shelby, Chair Rosa DeLauro, and Ranking Member Kay Granger for their leadership."
WHAT DID JEN PSAKI SAY?
Jen Psaki criticized Republicans for blocking attempts to raise the debt ceiling.
“Republicans are playing politics with an economic catastrophe, and they’re treating a calamity for working families like a DC game,” she said.
“Senator Rick Scott, and this is a real quote, I will note, ‘This is going to be a ball, I’m going to have so much fun.’ That’s about the debt limit, Senator Kevin Cramer, ‘It’s sort of fun to watch,’ and Senator Cornyn said yesterday that Republicans would use every tool at their disposal to slow Democrats from doing this on their own,” she said.
“What we’re trying to do, right now is… do it on our own, that is what Leader Schumer is working to proceed and working to move forward on,” Psaki added. “And obviously, as you know, Republicans have blocked that effort. So of course, we’re going to continue to press, we’re not going to let up on that, on Republicans to do what’s responsible, to protect the full faith and credit of the United States as has been done 80 times in the past.”
SIGNED BILL FUNDS CRITICAL NEEDS
President Joe Biden took to Twitter after signing the continuing resolution to fund the US government through December.
Biden wrote: "Tonight I signed the continuing resolution to fund our government through December.
"It funds critical needs like our COVID-19 response, resettling our Afghan allies, and disaster assistance — and gives us more time to pass longer-term funding and deliver for the American people."
'NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION'
Representative Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, said on Thursday, according to The New York Times: "This bill is not a permanent solution.
"I look forward to soon beginning negotiations with my counterparts across the aisle and across the Capitol to complete full year government funding bills.
“The American people are capable of building a future that is stronger and more prosperous as long as they have the tools they need to do it.
"This bill helps ensure that they have those tools."