United  States: The United States House of Representatives has passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The spending bill survived a Republican-led motion to postpone, passing 225 to 201 along party lines.  The bill will be sent to President Mr. Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The massive spending bill for fiscal year 2023 includes $772.5 billion for non-defense, domestic programs and $858 billion in defense funding. The bill provides roughly $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and NATO allies and roughly $40 billion to respond to natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires and flooding.

“The bipartisan funding bill advances key priorities for our country and caps off a year of historic bipartisan progress for the American people,” Mr. Joe Biden stated, adding that he would sign the bill into law “as soon as it reaches his desk.”

Mr. Biden also thanked Senate negotiators “for finding compromise to strengthen our democracy in the face of election denialism and assaults on our bedrock constitutional values.”

The outgoing House Speaker Ms. Nancy Pelosi remarked on the floor that “we have a big bill here, because we have big needs for our country. At the same time, we address the needs of America’s working families, with special focus on our children.”

Minority Leader Mr. Kevin McCarthy criticized the 4,155-page spending bill by calling it “monstrosity.”

“It is one of the most shameful acts I have ever seen in this body,” the California Republican added.

Ms. Nancy Pelosi replied to Mr. McCarthy’s criticisms by stating that,” It was sad to hear the minority leader say that this legislation is the most shameful thing to be seen on the House floor in this Congress.”

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