House Approves Stopgap Spending Bill and Disaster Recovery Funding

House Approves Stopgap Spending Bill and Disaster Recovery Funding, Senate Vote Expected Shortly to Avoid Shutdown

After a series of fits and starts, lawmakers have negotiated and approved a temporary spending bill to keep government agencies open through March 14, 2025. The deal also includes over $100 billion in disaster assistance and recovery funding.

The House approved the measure on Friday night 366-34. A Senate vote is expected Saturday, if not sooner to avoid a midnight deadline for a government shutdown.

The deal came together after the House rejected an earlier plan that had included an increase in the statutory debt limit as requested by President-elect Trump. That issue will be dealt with in the new year, along with final disposition of the full-year appropriations for federal programs.

The disaster assistance funding includes the following accounts for infrastructure-related recovery and restoration:

• $29 billion for FEMA
• $12 billion for HUD Community Development Assistance grants
• $8 billion for the FHWA emergency relief program, including 100% federal cost share for the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore
• $1.5 billion for the Department of Commerce Economic Development Assistance program
• $1.4 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers
• $1.23 billion for capitalization grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $1.77 billion for the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund

This is expected to be the last major legislative action before Congress adjourns for the year.