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Biden signs bill to fund US government until March 14, 2025

The US Senate and House of Representatives approved the bill a day before

WASHINGTON, December 21. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden has signed the bill passed earlier by both houses of Congress to continue funding the work of the federal government until March 14, 2025, the White House press service reported.

According to the released statement, on Saturday, "the president signed into law" a "bipartisan funding bill" providing "fiscal year 2025 appropriations to federal agencies through March 14, 2025," as well as the implementation of "projects and activities of the federal government."

The US Senate and House of Representatives approved the bill a day before. It also includes more than $100 billion for disaster relief. The additional funding averted a partial shutdown of the federal government. Lawmakers have yet to approve a budget for the current fiscal year, which began on October 1. Previously, funding was approved to keep the federal government operating only through December 20.

In a separate statement, Biden emphasized that the bill he signed was the result of a compromise between members of both parties in Congress, "which means neither side got everything it wanted." At the same time, he noted that the document does not provide "the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought." Biden also explained that part of the funds allocated for disaster relief will be used to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, into which the Dali container ship crashed on March 26.

Under US law, departments and agencies responsible for national security and foreign policy activities continue to operate when federal funding is suspended. Similar requirements are imposed on those government employees whose work is aimed at "protecting life and property. Those government employees who are forced to work under such conditions do not receive a salary, but it is usually paid to them after the funding issue is resolved.

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