Senate passes 2-year budget deal
Lawmakers still have to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution to avoid a shutdown Oct. 1, but the budget resolution sets the guidelines for a spending plan.
The Senate passed a two-year budget resolution on Aug. 1 that sets caps for military and domestic spending through fiscal year 2021 and extends the debt ceiling through July 31, 2021, punting several sensitive spending issues until after the 2020 election.
The measure, which passed the House of Representatives last week, increases discretionary spending to $1.37 trillion in 2020 and $1.375 trillion in 2021. Spending for the current year is $1.32 trillion. Spending rises on both the defense and civilian side.
The Senate passed the bill on a 67-28 vote. President Donald Trump tweeted in support of the bill ahead of the vote and is expected to sign it.
The budget agreement doesn't eliminate the possibility of a government shutdown at the start of fiscal year 2020 on Oct. 1. Lawmakers still have to pass individual spending bills, an omnibus appropriations package or a continuing resolution to keep the government open.
"This agreement will help prevent another disastrous government shutdown," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the minority whip, said in a statement. "While not perfect, this budget agreement will finally allow Congress to work on this year’s appropriations bills and invest in the programs that the American people rely on."