**WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a $1.7 trillion spending bill designed to fund the federal government through September 2023 and avert a looming shutdown, sending the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The House voted 225-201 to pass the legislation, which includes $858 billion for defense and $772.5 billion for non-defense spending. It also provides $45 billion in emergency aid for natural disasters, including Hurricane Ian and the floods in Kentucky.
The bill’s passage comes just days before the current stopgap funding measure expires on December 23, which would have shuttered federal agencies and furloughed millions of workers. Biden is expected to sign the bill into law before the deadline.
The spending package is the product of months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, and it represents a compromise between the two parties’ priorities. Democrats secured funding for their priorities, such as education, healthcare, and climate change, while Republicans got increases for defense spending.
The bill also includes a number of provisions that have been sought by both parties, such as funding for infrastructure projects, mental health services, and veterans’ benefits.
Despite the bipartisan support for the spending bill, some lawmakers from both parties expressed concerns about its size and scope. Some Republicans argued that the bill was too expensive, while some Democrats said it did not go far enough in addressing their priorities.
However, the overwhelming majority of lawmakers in both parties voted in favor of the bill, recognizing the need to avoid a government shutdown. The bill’s passage is a sign that Congress can still work together to pass major legislation, even in a divided political environment.
The spending bill is a major victory for Biden, who has made it a priority to avoid a government shutdown and to secure funding for his priorities. The bill’s passage is also a sign that Congress can still work together to pass major legislation, even in a divided political environment..
