US House passes short-term funding bill to avert government shutdown

The United States House of Representatives passed a short-term funding bill on November 19 as an effort to avert the government shutdown before the funds expire later in the week. This consideration will keep the government funded until December 20 and Rep Tom Cole supported the extension of funding as it is necessary to ensure that both, the House and the Senate can continue to negotiate and reach agreement on full-year appropriations for the fiscal year 2020. Members of the US Congress are obligated each year to pass legislation which funds the government and ensure that it stays open. The expectation with the proposed bill is that if it passes, President Donald Trump will sign it.

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Bill passed amidst impeachment enquiry

The bill to keep the government funded came amidst the high-profile public impeachment hearings against Trump initiated by House Democrats which has also seen an escalation of partisan tensions in the US. A New York Democrat, Nita Lowey said in a statement that with a government shutdown deadline just days away the ongoing resolution is necessary to keep the government open as the members work towards completing the appropriations process. However, the lawmakers have not yet been able to reach the agreement on the regular 12 appropriations bills which are essential to fund the government. 

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Previous extension bill

The Congress had already passed a short-term funding extension earlier in the year, which would set up the impending funding deadline this week. The House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said that the members must utilise this 'additional time' to entirely fund the government before the end of the year. Disputes over funding for a wall at the US-Mexico border had fueled a partial shutdown for the government last year with Democrats refusing to sign off on the Trump's demand to fulfill his promise of 2016 presidential campaign. That shutdown reportedly broke the record for the longest government shutdown in the history of the US. 

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