Amata Welcomes House Passage of 45-Day Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming bipartisan House passage Saturday of a 45-day government funding bill to prevent a shutdown. The Continuing Resolution (CR), passed by a vote of 335-91, maintains current fiscal year 2023 funding at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2023, providing another month and a half to negotiate and pass the major appropriations bills necessary for each federal department of the administration. It also supports disaster relief and ensures our military gets their paychecks, but leaves additional Ukraine funding to the ongoing appropriations process.

As of Saturday afternoon, the U.S. Senate planned to act quickly to also consider the bill, which has already included substantial negotiations among various leaders. Senate passage with President Biden’s signature, if in time, will prevent the shutdown or reduce it to a few hours overnight. Without passage, a shutdown starts as the month of October begins.

The bill called the Continuing Appropriations 2024 and Other Extensions Act, preserves current federal support for American Samoa and the rest of the U.S. Most Veterans’ services were already secured, but the CR passage ensures normal VA services without a gap, and current federal Medicaid support continues.

“I’m pleased that federal funding will be secure through mid-November at 2023 levels, and our troops will be paid,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Disagreements were fiercely debated this time, but the House worked to the last day of the fiscal year and got it done, and I appreciate that the end result is bipartisan. I’m confident the Senate will do their part and the government will be open as usual next week. During these 45 days, the remaining appropriations bills must be passed and then be reconciled with the Senate to become law. I will report back on funding news for American Samoa.”

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