House passes funding bill to keep the government open

December 20, 2024 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (C.R.) to keep the U.S. government funded and avert a partial government shutdown. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL7), Dale Strong (R-AL05), Robert Aderholt (R-AL04), and Barry Moore (R-AL02) all voted in favor of the funding package which also provided disaster assistance to communities impacted by this hurricanes this fall and provides some emergency support to farmers.

House Democrats, along with 38 House Republicans, successfully blocked Thursday's version of the bill demanded by Donald Trump and Elon Musk that included a provision to raise the debt ceiling. The measure passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 366 to 64.

"After days of Trump-manufactured chaos, Democrats have once again stepped in to save House Republicans from their own dysfunction and extremism," said Rep. Sewell. "Not only were we able to responsibly fund the government and protect critical services, but we also blocked the last-minute demands of Donald Trump and Elon Musk to raise the debt ceiling in order to give tax breaks to their billionaire friends."

"I am thrilled that this agreement includes $284 million in urgently needed disaster assistance for Alabama, as well as $10 million in new funding that we secured for the Delta Regional Authority to help rebuild disaster-stricken communities," continued Sewell. "I am especially glad that Alabama's federal workers and military families won't have to worry about missing a paycheck this holiday season."

"This bill ensures President Trump can get to work on his America First agenda the second he takes the oath of office on January 20th," said Rep. Strong. "It authorizes critical aid for North Alabama farmers, ensures troops overseas get a paycheck this Christmas, and provides disaster relief for Americans recovering from hurricane devastation. President Trump was right that the original bill had wasteful additives from Democrats and special interest groups. I'm glad to see my colleagues come together to pass this legislation."

"This funding bill tonight provides disaster relief, support for our farmers and keeps our government running," said Rep. Aderholt. "Our military members all around the world protecting us this Christmas will get paid."

"I voted yes for the American Relief Act, because it is a lifeline for producers and disaster victims, providing immediate relief at a critical moment, but the process we went through to get here is a symptom of a broken system," said Rep. Moore. "Thanks to President Trump, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy, we stopped a bloated, 1,500+ page bill loaded with woke, weaponized and wasteful spending and exchanged it for a 118- page bill that prioritizes Americans in need."

"Moving forward, we must reject backroom deals and ensure a detailed process to fund the government that actually works for the American people," continued Moore.

The funding package passed today would avert a shutdown and fund the federal government at current levels through March 14, 2025. Sewell said that Greene, Sumter, Hale, and Dallas Counties could be eligible for the disaster recovery funds as a result of the storms of January 12, 2023.

The package also includes a one-year extension of the farm bill and assistance for Alabama farmers.

The Senate passed this funding bill around midnight without any changes. It now goes to President Biden's desk and averts a possible government shutdown that would have gone into effect on Saturday.

The first 1,500 – page version of this bill was released around midnight on Tuesday. That version of the bill was dead by Wednesday afternoon. A Trump approved version of the bill was crafted on Wednesday night. It was rejected by the House on Thursday night. The third and final version of this C.R. was crafted mid day on Friday. It Is a loose compromise version between the two earlier versions of the bill. Noone has had time to read it, so nobody can really be sure with great confidence what iall is or is not in it; but passing it was presumably a better outcome than a government shutdown that likely would have lasted into January.

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