House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Avoid Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a stopgap funding bill on Friday to prevent a partial government shutdown set to begin on October 1. The bill will maintain current funding levels for federal agencies until November 21 and allocates $88 million to enhance protection for members of Congress, the executive branch, and the Supreme Court in response to heightened political violence, notably after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The House passed the proposal with a close 217-212 vote, with two Republicans opposing the decision alongside Democrats. The bill now moves to the Republican-majority Senate, which needs at least seven Democrat votes to pass and be presented to President Donald Trump for approval.

Although Republicans assure that the measure excludes controversial political policy riders, Democrats back an alternative bill funding agencies until October 31. This version would secure healthcare tax credits and restore Medicaid cuts from previous tax cuts legislation. The debate involves approximately one-quarter of the federal government's $7 trillion budget, encapsulating essential programs like Social Security and Medicare.

(With inputs from agencies.)