Congress Votes to Avert Shutdown, Mooney Uses Vote to Attack Justice in Senate Race

Congress narrowly avoided a federal shutdown with a last-second stopgap bill that passed on Saturday, ensuring government funding until Nov. 17. President Joe Biden signed the bill before midnight, urging Congress to work on long-term funding solutions.

The Senate passed the bill 88-9, with Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito voting in favor. In the House, the bill passed 335-91, with Congressman Alex Mooney voting against it. Mooney used the opportunity to criticize his opponent in the U.S. Senate race, Governor Jim Justice, for not taking a clear stance on the issue.

Justice, also a Republican running for Senate, blamed the toxic political culture in Washington, D.C., for the potential shutdown. He did not specify his stance on federal funding levels or cuts. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Carol Miller praised the bill but called for steeper spending cuts.

The Senate has been working on longer-term appropriations bills to reduce federal government growth, while the House has pushed for a short-term solution. The bill dropped $6 billion for Ukraine aid, drawing mixed reactions from lawmakers.

Senator Manchin expressed relief at averting a shutdown and emphasized the need for bipartisan solutions to address national debt, border security, and global responsibilities. Senator Capito, who voted in favor of the bill, warned of the consequences of a shutdown and stressed the importance of responsible budgeting.

As the debate continues, the focus remains on finding long-term funding solutions that benefit all Americans. The political landscape is tense, with both parties advocating for their respective approaches to federal spending. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of government funding and the nation’s financial stability.