Members of Congress, public wait for permanent solution after government shutdown averted
WASHINGTON (7News) — Even though Congress was able to avert a government shutdown by approving a resolution to extend funding for 45 days, lawmakers and those who would have been impacted by furloughs are only able to breathe a momentary sigh of relief.
On Saturday, the House and Senate approved a resolution that funds the federal government for another 45 days. President Biden signed the bill with little time to spare before midnight. Had they not passed the bill, the government would have been shut down starting midnight Sunday.
This would have meant hundreds of thousands of federal government workers in the D.C. area would have been out of work until a deal was done, and they would not have had any idea when their next paycheck would come.
Every member of Congress who represents districts in the D.C. area voted for the resolution.
Congressman Glenn Ivey, D-Md., represents Prince George's County, and told 7News the effect a shutdown would have had on his constituents would have been catastrophic.