The US Congress saves the federal administration from paralysis
In a race against time, the American Congress adopted a provisional financing bill on Saturday evening in order to avoid a “shutdown”, a partial closure of federal administrations. This emergency measure will maintain funding for the administration for 45 days, but excludes aid to Ukraine, an issue that has been at the heart of the debates.
The resolution proposed at the last minute by the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, was adopted by a bipartisan majority in the House before being validated by the Senate. This decision comes just in time, a few hours before the “shutdown” which would have had disastrous consequences for millions of Americans.
President Joe Biden welcomed the decision, stressing that it avoided an unnecessary crisis and suffering for American workers. However, he reiterated that aid to Ukraine was essential and called on Congress to approve it quickly.
This exclusion of aid to Ukraine has been a point of contention between Democrats and Republicans, highlighting political and strategic differences on the issue. Lawmakers will now have to consider a separate bill for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which represents a crucial issue for the White House.
If this emergency measure had not been adopted, the consequences would have been disastrous. American civil servants would have been deprived of pay, air traffic would have been disrupted and national parks would have been closed to visitors. Fortunately, a compromise was found to avoid this paralysis and ensure the proper functioning of the federal administration.
This vote was hailed as a victory for the American people, showing the ability of political representatives to work together to find pragmatic solutions. However, it also highlights the political tensions and differences of opinion that persist within Congress.
In the coming days, further discussions will take place to determine the future of aid to Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether a consensus can be found and whether the necessary funds will be allocated to this country in the grip of an ongoing conflict.
In conclusion, the decision of the American Congress to adopt an interim financing bill made it possible to avoid a major crisis and to maintain the functioning of the federal administration. However, crucial issues, such as aid to Ukraine, remain unresolved and require close attention in the coming days. Congress’s role as a political institution is essential to making informed decisions and finding solutions to domestic and international challenges.