President Joe Biden on Thursday signed the stopgap spending bill into law, averting a shutdown for now and setting up a contentious fight over funding in the new year.
The measure, which passed both chambers with bipartisan support in a major victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, is an unusual two-step plan that sets up two new shutdown deadlines in January and February.
The plan is not a full-year spending bill and only extends funding until January 19 for priorities including military construction, veterans’ affairs, transportation, housing and the Energy Department. The rest of the government – anything not covered by the first step – will be funded until February 2.
If everyone else could work like congress:
Plumber - yup, just keep using that bucket, I’ll come back to snake it in a few months. By the way I’m charging you for my time off.
Surgeon - I think the cancer will hold for a while, we’ll get to it sometime next year.
Teacher - Ok, keep practicing 2x2, we’ll cover 3s when I damn well feel like it.
Taxi/Uber driver - I’m gonna need to stop at my inlaws for Thanksgiving dinner, you’re cool if we keep the meter running, right?
DMV - No change
Police - A slight improvement