Senate Passes Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown

The U.S. Senate passed a funding bill to avert a government shutdown just before a midnight deadline, with a vote of 85 to 11, after an earlier proposal backed by President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk failed. The new continuing resolution (CR) extends funding through March 14, 2025, and allocates $100 billion for disaster relief without including Trump's demand to raise or suspend the debt ceiling, which had derailed previous negotiations. Musk's influence was evident, as he publicly supported the final bill after initially inciting opposition to an earlier bipartisan proposal, leading to its rejection. The House bill passed with significant bipartisan support, 366-34, although all dissenting votes came from far-right Republicans. Critics have noted Musk's growing sway in political matters, with Democrats mocking his role in influencing Republican lawmakers. The possibility of a government shutdown looms, as failure to secure funding could disrupt essential services and impact the economy significantly.