Congressional leaders have introduced a stopgap spending bill that will finance the federal government until March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency relief to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, among other natural disasters. The plan would avert a partial government shutdown that was scheduled to begin after midnight Friday. It would delegate final authority over this fiscal year’s spending levels to a new Republican-led Congress and President-Elect Donald Trump.

The continuing resolution maintains current spending levels for agencies. Passage of the resolution is one of the final measures that lawmakers will take this week before adjourning for the holidays and preparing for the new Congress. It’s the second short-term funding plan introduced by lawmakers this fall as they battled to pass the dozen annual appropriations bills before the new fiscal year began on October 1, as is customary. The measure provides $100.4 billion in disaster aid, plus an additional $10.

Donate now. PBS News Live House Stopgap Spending Bill Failed to Pass By Kevin Freking, Associated Press. Congress nears funding deal for more than $100 billion in disaster aid, avoiding government shutdown. Politics December 18, 2024, 9:29 AM EST. Washington (AP) — Congressional leaders have introduced a stopgap spending bill that will finance the federal government until March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency relief to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, among other natural disasters. The plan would avert a partial government shutdown that was scheduled to begin after midnight Friday. It would delegate final authority over this fiscal year’s spending levels to a new Republican-led Congress and President-Elect Donald Trump. Watch now: Congress is working on a budget deal.

Ranchers will be able to obtain the credit they require to sow a crop or raise a herd,” Thompson stated. President Joe Biden has requested approximately $114 billion in disaster help, making a $99 billion request in November and informing legislators that the funds were “urgently needed.” The government later revised its request to include funds to restore federal infrastructure destroyed by natural catastrophes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s main disaster relief fund will receive the majority of the money, almost $29 billion. The fund contributes to debris clearance, public infrastructure repairs, and financial aid for survivors. Farmers who have lost crops or cattle receive approximately $21 billion in assistance.

Gifts are MATCHED! Increase your support for educated, in-depth, and trustworthy journalism. Donate now. PBS News Live House Stopgap Spending Bill Failed to Pass By Kevin Freking, Associated Press. Congress nears funding deal for more than $100 billion in disaster aid, avoiding government shutdown. Politics December 18, 2024, 9:29 AM EST. Washington (AP) — Congressional leaders have introduced a stopgap spending bill that will finance the federal government until March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency relief to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, among other natural disasters. The plan would avert a partial government shutdown that was scheduled to begin after midnight Friday. It would delegate final choices on this fiscal year’s spending levels to a new Republican-controlled Congress.

Coverage of telehealth sessions for Medicare members and limiting how much money pharmacy benefits managers — the corporations that negotiate how and what pharmaceuticals are covered by insurance plans — make from those arrangements. The plan also includes provisions aimed at opposing China, such as extending on a Biden executive order to ban investments in nations that pose a national security threat to the United States. Blocking China’s high-tech ambitions is one of the few subjects in Washington that has bipartisan backing from Republicans and Democrats. There is also a provision in the bill that would transfer the land on which the old RFK Stadium stood from the federal government to the District of Columbia, potentially leading to the construction of a new stadium for the Washington Commanders.

The law also includes full government financing to replace Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship that reported losing power just before the collision. Federal taxpayers will be reimbursed using earnings from insurance payouts and lawsuits. Associated Press writers Stephen Groves and Amanda Seitz contributed to this report.