After weeks of grueling negotiations, Democrats and Republicans reached an agreement on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to keep federal agencies funded and operating until mid-March, averting a costly government shutdown before the holidays.
The so-called "continuing resolution" - expected to be the last major piece of legislation passed by Congress this year - must pass the Republican-led House of Representatives before heading to the Senate, which must vote before the end of Sunday.
The compromise draft would then be sent to the President of the United States of America (USA) Joseph Biden for his signature.
The House has a rule that no bill can be considered less than 72 hours before the publication of the text. That means a vote in the House of Representatives is likely to take place on Friday, with the Senate potentially following suit on the same day.
Negotiations have stalled in Congress as Republicans seek billions of dollars in new economic aid for farmers and a shutdown deadline fast approaches.
Democrats asked for several additions, from cash to cover the cost of rebuilding a destroyed bridge in Baltimore and a museum in Washington honoring women and Hispanic Americans.
With President-elect Donald Trump looking to avoid distractions as he looks to return to the White House in January, Republicans have no appetite for a shutdown, especially right before Christmas.
The bill specifically includes $100 billion in disaster relief requested by Biden after two devastating hurricanes in September and October, as well as $XNUMX billion in aid to American farmers.
Republicans will retake the Senate majority in early January when newly elected members are sworn in. Trump will return to the Oval Office on January 20.
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