In a crucial move to prevent a government shutdown, President Biden signed a funding bill late on Thursday, ensuring that the government will remain open into early 2024. The president took this action while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, where he is meeting with world leaders.

The bill's signing came just in time, as the government was set to shut down at the end of the day on Friday if it had not received the president's signature. Recognizing the significance of this step, President Biden took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to urge Congress to address national security and domestic needs, while also calling on House Republicans to focus on meaningful legislation and honor the bipartisan budget agreement.

The funding bill had previously passed the House on Tuesday with a strong majority of 336-95. Notably, two Democrats, Representatives Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts and Mike Quigley of Illinois, along with 93 Republicans, voted against the bill. The measure then made its way to the Senate, where it received broad bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 87-11. Only one Democrat, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, opposed the bill.

This bifurcated bill includes funding extensions at current levels for various agencies and programs. Some entities, such as military construction, the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, as well as energy and water programs, will receive funding until January 19. All other programs, including the Department of Defense and several nondefense social programs, will be funded until February 2.

However, the bill does not include key national security spending priorities outlined by the Biden White House. Notably absent from the measure is aid for both Ukraine and Israel. In late October, the White House had requested nearly $106 billion in supplemental funding, which included support for Ukraine's battle against Russia, aid for Israel's fight against Hamas, humanitarian assistance in the Middle East, and increased funding for U.S. border security.

Initially, House Republicans presented a bill focused solely on funding for Israel, coupled with spending cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The White House made it clear that if this bill were to pass, it would have been vetoed. Consequently, the funding bill signed by President Biden did not include these provisions.

As President Biden continues his engagements at the APEC Summit, the signing of the funding bill brings temporary relief by averting a government shutdown. However, discussions on national security spending priorities are expected to remain a point of contention between the White House and House Republicans in the coming months. The president's call for Congress to address these critical issues underscores the ongoing need for bipartisan cooperation and action.