Congress' $1.2 Trillion Budget Bombshell! What You Need to Know

The U.S. Congress passed a $1.2 trillion budget bill early on Saturday, funding the government through the fiscal year. 

The bill, which passed 74-24, now awaits President Joe Biden's signature to avoid a partial shutdown. 

It includes funding for key federal agencies like Homeland Security, Justice, State, and Treasury, ensuring their operations through September 30. 

However, the bill does not include funding for military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, or Israel.

Senate leaders spent hours negotiating amendments to the bill, which were ultimately defeated, causing a delay beyond the Friday midnight deadline. 

Nevertheless, the White House Office of Management and Budget expressed confidence that the bill would pass, which it did.

The 1,012-page bill provides $886 billion in funding for the Defense Department, including a raise for U.S. troops, and Biden has indicated he will sign it. The bill passed with more Democratic than Republican support, highlighting deep partisan divides within Congress.

Republican Senator Susan Collins called the bill a national security measure, with 70% of the funding going to national defense. 

However, opponents criticized the bill as too expensive, with Senator Rand Paul calling it reckless and inflationary.

The passage of the budget bill comes amid internal Republican disagreements, with hardliners like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene threatening to oust Speaker Mike Johnson for allowing the bill to pass. Greene introduced a motion to vacate Johnson, echoing a similar move that removed Kevin McCarthy in October.

Despite these challenges, the budget bill passed with bipartisan support, ensuring government funding through September 30.