WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress on Friday passed a resolution that will provide a stopgap in preventing the government from a partial shutdown over the weekend.
The continuing resolution, which passed by a 320-60 margin in the House and will keep the government from shutting down until Monday, was later passed by unanimous consent by the Senate.
The measure was signed by President Donald Trump, two hours before the midnight deadline.
The move came as congressional leaders were trying to hammer out a nearly $1 trillion agreement on a COVID-19 stimulus bill that could include a new round of checks to Americans.
“I believe all sides feel we’re making good progress on a major relief bill,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said as he addressed the Senate before the stopgap resolution was approved. But, alas, we are not there yet. Given that our urgent task is to pass a stopgap government funding measure, there’s no reason why the federal government funding should lapse while we hammer out our remaining difference.”
The first direct payment sent to Americans in April included a $1,200 check for adults ($2,400 per couple) plus $500 each for dependent children.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, who has been seeking the stimulus checks along with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, said, “I will object to any attempt by the Senate to pass an omnibus appropriations bill and leave town before passing a COVID relief bill with substantial direct payments going to working people.”
Sanders urged passage of the measure.
But Sanders said, “Let us get this package passed,” Sanders said. “Let’s make certain that we have direct payments to working families and with that I will withdraw my objection.”
Congressional leaders will still continue to work on the larger stimulus package, according to the Post. The short-term spending bill would lawmakers time to review the bill before voting on it either over the weekend or at the beginning of next week, the newspaper reported.
The House will remain in recess until noon Sunday.