US Government Avoids Shutdown... Biden Says "Republicans Treat Debt Ceiling Increase as a Game" (Comprehensive Report 2)

US Democrats and Republicans Pass Temporary Budget Bills Ahead of Shutdown
Dispute Expected Over Debt Ceiling Increase That Will Decide National Default Status

Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Majority Leader, is returning to his office after the temporary budget bill was passed on the 30th.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed a temporary federal budget bill. As a result, the federal government shutdown scheduled for the next day is expected to be avoided. However, the debt ceiling increase bill was not processed, and a tense standoff between the ruling and opposition parties is anticipated until the default deadline set for the 18th of next month.

On the 30th (local time), the U.S. Senate voted on the temporary budget bill, which will be effective until December 3, passing it with 65 votes in favor and 35 against. Subsequently, the House also approved the temporary budget bill with 254 votes in favor and 175 against.

The temporary budget bill will take effect once President Joe Biden signs it before midnight on the same day. This will prevent the anticipated federal government shutdown scheduled for the following day.

Both parties in the U.S. welcomed the voting results. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell explained that the inclusion of disaster relief funds and Afghan refugee resettlement costs, which the Republicans demanded, in the temporary budget bill marked progress. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also said, "I am glad we were able to reach an agreement."

The Democratic Party initially tried to link the temporary budget bill with the debt ceiling increase, but after failing due to Republican opposition, they shifted to separating the budget bill and the debt ceiling increase.

President Biden met with Democratic lawmakers on the day and emphasized the need to promptly handle the debt ceiling increase.

According to the White House, President Biden and Democratic lawmakers stated, "We are working to eliminate the catastrophic economic threat of default that American businesses and citizens could face, but the Republicans are treating this threat frivolously and have publicly expressed further intentions to obstruct."

They unanimously agreed that the Republicans must end their brinkmanship tactics.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen appeared before the House and argued for completely abolishing the debt ceiling law.

Secretary Yellen claimed that setting a debt ceiling poses a highly destructive threat to the United States' trust and credit, and that it is illogical for Congress to approve the federal government's spending levels when passing the budget but then set a separate debt ceiling law.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.