US escapes government shutdown, giving Trump administration a "blank check"

On March 14, the US Senate passed a six-month government funding bill, just hours before the government shutdown deadline.

The US Congress headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington DC (Source: The Australian)

AFP news agency reported that with a vote of 54-46, the bill overcame strong opposition from the Democratic Party and will be sent to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law.

Notably, the bill gives the Trump administration more discretion in allocating funds, something Democrats have called a “blank check.”

Democrats face a difficult choice: either allow the bill to pass, which they say gives too much spending power to President Trump, or vote against it and let the government fall into a shutdown.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, after days of backing colleagues who expressed frustration with the bill, abruptly changed his stance and said he would not let the government shut down.

Democrats are particularly concerned that the administration could divert money from fighting fentanyl to mass deportation initiatives. They also oppose revoking $20 billion in special IRS funding, following a $20 billion cut approved last year.

Previously, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives passed this spending bill on March 11.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-thoat-nguy-co-dong-cua-chinh-phu-trao-cho-chinh-quyen-cua-tong-thong-trump-tam-sec-trang-307665.html