Biden: Funding framework 1 step closer to preventing ‘needless government shutdown’

President Biden said the bipartisan funding deal announced Sunday by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) brings the government closer to preventing an “unnecessary government shutdown.”

“The bipartisan funding framework agreed to by Congressional leaders brings us one step closer to preventing an unnecessary government shutdown and protecting our nation's critical priorities. “This reflects the funding levels we passed in the first place,” Biden said in a statement shortly after announcing the agreement.

“This framework rejects deep cuts to programs that hard-working families rely on and provides a path to passing a year-round funding bill that benefits Americans and eliminates extreme policies. I want to thank Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries for their leadership in achieving this,” he continued, referring to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. did.

Prime Minister Johnson announced Sunday that Congressional leaders had reached a maximum spending agreement to fund the federal government for the remainder of 2024. This would allow lawmakers in both chambers to work together to pass more spending bills before the funding expires.

In his “Dear Colleagues” letter, Prime Minister Johnson said the highest amount for 2024 would be $1.59 trillion, with $886 billion for defense purposes and $704 billion for non-defense purposes. . The agreement was announced just before the House and Senate returned to Washington this week ahead of the first government funding deadline of Jan. 19.

Biden called on Republican lawmakers to pass a funding agreement as well as a request for additional funding, including aid for Ukraine and Israel.

“Now Congressional Republicans must do their job, stop threatening to shut down government, and fulfill their fundamental responsibility to fund critical domestic and national security priorities. This includes my supplementary request: 'It's time for them to act,' he said.