Earlier, the Republican-drafted bill was passed by the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives then left the capital, forcing the US Senate to pass it or else the government would shut down at midnight on March 15 (11am on March 15, Vietnam time).
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (center) and several other members voted to help pass the government budget bill on March 14.
Many Democratic senators opposed the bill because it did not include any of the party’s demands. According to The Hill , the bill increases defense spending by $6 billion, increases the budget for border enforcement, and cuts non-defense spending by $13 billion. However, these amounts are only a small fraction of the total $1.7 trillion in spending the bill allocates, according to AP.
More worrying for Democrats, the bill does not include specific directives on how the money is spent, which could allow the Trump administration to shift funds to programs it prioritizes.
Some Democratic senators have called for rejecting the bill and passing another stopgap spending bill within 30 days, rather than in September. However, the effort has not received any support from Republicans, who hold a majority in the 53-seat Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on March 13 that he would vote in favor of the bill because a government shutdown could have far more serious consequences. He explained that the Trump administration would then have the power to determine which federal agencies, programs, and employees were essential or nonessential, leading to prioritizing budget allocations and furloughing employees at will.
As a result, Mr. Schumer, along with eight Democratic senators and an independent close to the party, voted with the Republicans to help the bill advance to the final vote without being hindered by the filibuster. Previously, Republican Senator Rand Paul said he would oppose the bill. Some Democrats criticized Mr. Schumer as "traitorous".
In that final vote, the bill passed the Senate with 54 votes in favor and 46 against. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Independent Senator Angus King voted in favor while Senator Rand Paul voted against.
The bill is expected to be signed by President Trump, and if passed, Congress will not have to fight to fund the government again until September.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thuong-vien-my-thong-qua-du-luat-ngan-chinh-phu-dong-cua-truoc-gio-chot-185250315071735075.htm
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