United States House Speaker Mike Johnson submitted a stopgap spending bill that would extend government funding until December 20 and help avoid a shutdown ahead of the presidential elections.
The bill now must secure congressional backing and receive President Joe Biden's approval to take effect. "While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under present circumstances," Johnson wrote, adding that a government shutdown 40 days "from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice."
The new bill does not include the immigration proposal by former president Donald Trump and is expected to be voted on this week. According to Johnson, it is an alternative to the six-month Continuing Resolution (CR) and SAVE Act proposed last week.