Biden signs temporary spending bill, pushes budget fight with GOP into 2024

President Joe Biden has signed a temporary spending bill that will keep the government running until the fall of 2024. The legislation, which passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support, will avoid a government shutdown while the Biden administration and congressional Republicans work out a long-term budget deal. The spending bill, officially known as a "continuing resolution," will provide funding for key government programs through September 30, 2024. It sets spending levels at current levels and does not include any new policy initiatives, avoiding the highly partisan fights that have taken place during the past few years over government funding. The extended deadline provides President Biden with an opportunity to negotiate a long-term budget deal with Republicans in Congress that could include some of his signature initiatives, such as expanding healthcare access and increasing federal spending on infrastructure. However, given the current partisan divide, it is uncertain whether a long-term budget deal can be reached. In any case, the continuing resolution has averted the possibility of a costly government shutdown and given both political parties more time to negotiate a long-term budget deal. That, in turn, could help to ensure the government remains solvent and functioning through at least the end of 2024.