Several Republican lawmakers have disclosed that negotiators from both parties in the United States Congress reached an agreement on a temporary funding bill on Tuesday, December 17, in order to prevent a partial government shutdown. As per the agreement, Congress will approve around $100 billion in new disaster relief aid and provide $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers.
According to Reuters, congressional aides are preparing the legislation, which may be submitted for a full House vote later this week to ensure the Senate can pass the bill before midnight on Friday (5:00 AM GMT on Saturday), as the federal government would run out of funding by then.
Congressman Glenn Thompson (Republican from Pennsylvania) stated to reporters after a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, “Different people are rapidly drafting the text within their respective jurisdictions.”
Thompson, who serves as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, mentioned that the measure will provide $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, which is a good start given that various agricultural programs are set to expire at the end of this year.
“$10 billion is a good start,” Thompson said. “I think it sends the right signal to the marketplace that the vast majority of farmers and ranchers will be eligible for the loans necessary for planting crops or raising livestock.”
Republican Congressman Pete Sessions informed Reuters that the measure also includes approximately $100 billion in funds for hurricane, wildfire, and other natural disaster recovery efforts.
Reuters reported on Monday that the bill would keep the government funded until March 14.
The bill requires approval from both the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and the Democratic-controlled Senate before it can be sent to Democratic President Biden for signing into law.