Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
U.S. News
Aug. 1, 2019 / 1:40 PM

Senate passes spending bill that gives nearly $3T, suspends debt ceiling

By
Clyde Hughes
The new spending bill provides nearly $3 trillion for the federal government over the next two years, and again suspends the debt ceiling so the Treasury can borrow money. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The Senate voted Thursday to pass a major bipartisan spending bill that increases the federal budget and defers the debt ceiling for another two years -- settling fears the limit could bring severe economic harm.

The bill was passed by a vote of 67-28. Nearly two dozen Republicans and five Democrats voted against the proposal. It was approved by the House last week and President Donald Trump has promised to sign it.

The plan provides about $1.4 trillion for discretionary spending for the next two years, and includes $738 billion in defense spending and hundreds of billions in non-defense spending for fiscal 2020. As part of the pact, Congress also agrees not to introduce any policy "riders" on future spending bills and allows the Trump administration to reprogram funds for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Budget Deal is phenomenal for our Great Military, our Vets, and Jobs, Jobs, Jobs," Trump tweeted. "Two-year deal gets us past the Election. Go for it Republicans, there is always plenty of time to CUT."

RELATED Budget office: U.S. federal deficit will top record $1 trillion

The budget package is truly a bipartisan effort, as it was created by Sens. Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer and Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy, the parties' top lawmakers in each chamber. Because it authorizes spending for two years, the bill averts any potential government shutdown over that period.

The proposal to suspend the debt ceiling comes just five months after the limit returned from a 1-year suspension. Congressional leaders and economic analysts had warned the Treasury Department would've run out of money by September or October without a fox or another suspension. The national debt exceeded the $22 trillion mark for the first time in February. When the ceiling was reinstated March 1, it limited the Treasury's ability to borrow money.

Twenty-three Republicans voted against, including Mitt Romney of Utah, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida.

RELATED D.C. mayor asks Trump to pay Fourth of July celebration's $1.7M bill

"We have got to figure out how to live within our means and this deal does just the opposite," Scott tweeted. "We can't keep running trillion-dollar deficits. There will be a day of reckoning and future generations will pay the price if we stay on this path."

Daniel Uria contributed to this report

  • Topics
  • Politics
  • Donald Trump
  • Charles Schumer
  • Nancy Pelosi
  • Kevin McCarthy
  • Mitt Romney
  • Marco Rubio
  • Mitch McConnell
  • Rick Scott
  • Ted Cruz

Latest Headlines

Supreme Court refuses to lift block on federal executions
U.S. News // 1 hour ago
Supreme Court refuses to lift block on federal executions
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court has refused the U.S. Department of Justice's request to overrule a lower court's decision to block the government's plan to resume federal executions.

Supreme Court temporarily blocks subpoena seeking Trump records from Deutsche Bank, Capital One
U.S. News // 14 hours ago
Supreme Court temporarily blocks subpoena seeking Trump records from Deutsche Bank, Capital One
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Friday granted President Donald Trump a temporary stay in his request to block a subpoena requiring two financial institutions to hand over his records to House Democrats.

Jury sides with Elon Musk in 'pedo guy' trial
U.S. News // 15 hours ago
Jury sides with Elon Musk in 'pedo guy' trial
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles jury on Friday determined businessman Elon Musk didn't defame a British diver in 2018 when he called the man a "pedo guy" amid a row over the rescue of 12 boys and their coach trapped in a Thai cave.

Flash freeze to shock Midwest after another dose of snow
U.S. News // 15 hours ago
Flash freeze to shock Midwest after another dose of snow
Midwesterners may have a tough time deciphering exactly which season we're in come this weekend and next week -- and forecasters stress that rapid weather changes may be dizzying.

Jane Fonda leads 9th climate change protest in Washington, D.C.
U.S. News // 20 hours ago
Jane Fonda leads 9th climate change protest in Washington, D.C.
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Academy Award-winning actress Jane Fonda held her ninth consecutive Fire Drill on Friday to protest climate change.

White House refuses judiciary's invite to participate in impeachment probe
U.S. News // 16 hours ago
White House refuses judiciary's invite to participate in impeachment probe
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The White House notified the House judiciary committee on Friday it won't participate with the panel's impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump.

Gunman who killed 3 at Florida Navy base was Saudi aviation student
U.S. News // 1 day ago
Gunman who killed 3 at Florida Navy base was Saudi aviation student
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A gunman who shot several people at a U.S. naval base in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday, killing three, was a Saudi aviation trainee, local officials said.

6 Mass. vaping illness patients bought products at legal pot shops, health board says
U.S. News // 21 hours ago
6 Mass. vaping illness patients bought products at legal pot shops, health board says
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Six Massachusetts patients with vaping-related illness told doctors they bought regulated THC e-cigarette products at state-licensed marijuana shops, according to information posted by state public health officials.

Ford recalls F-250, F-350, F-450 trucks for faulty tailgate latch
U.S. News // 19 hours ago
Ford recalls F-250, F-350, F-450 trucks for faulty tailgate latch
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Co. announced a recall Friday of 231,664 heavy-duty pickup trucks to check for unintended opening of tailgates caused by a faulty latch release.

2020 hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren 'very healthy,' medical report says
U.S. News // 20 hours ago
2020 hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren 'very healthy,' medical report says
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in good physical health for her age of 70, her physician said in a medical report Friday.

Trending Stories

Gunman who killed 3 at Florida Navy base was Saudi aviation student
Gunman who killed 3 at Florida Navy base was Saudi aviation student
Bernie Sanders unveils 'High-Speed Internet for All' plan
Bernie Sanders unveils 'High-Speed Internet for All' plan
EPA approves coyote-killing 'cyanide bombs' for five states
EPA approves coyote-killing 'cyanide bombs' for five states
Federal court favors Trump administration rule to limit migrant benefits
Federal court favors Trump administration rule to limit migrant benefits
White House refuses judiciary's invite to participate in impeachment probe
White House refuses judiciary's invite to participate in impeachment probe

Photo Gallery

 
'Spirit of America' marks White House Christmas decor
'Spirit of America' marks White House Christmas decor

Latest News

Attack on Iraqi protesters leaves at least 12 dead
Peter Sarsgaard lands role in 'The Batman'
American student freed in prisoner swap with Iran
Trippie Redd's 'A Love Letter to You 4' tops the U.S. album chart
Supreme Court refuses to lift block on federal executions
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy