The Senate passes a measure for hurricane disaster relief funding, extending the debt limit and funding the government for three months
By Rose Law Group Reporter staff
The Senate on Thursday approved a package that includes disaster aid, a debt ceiling extension and temporary government funding, sending it to the House where it will face opposition from conservatives.
The chamber approved more than $15 billion in aid funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, attached to the other traditionally more controversial measures, by a vote of 80-17.
Among the 17 nay votes were Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake.
“Attaching emergency funding for hurricane relief to a must-pass CR & debt limit increase is a dereliction of Congress’s most routine duties, McCain stated on the floor.
If the House passes the bill and President Donald Trump signs it, Congress knocks out end-of-September deadlines to raise the debt limit and avoid risking default on U.S. debt, and funds the government and avoids a shutdown. But Congress will face the deadlines again in December, and Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns that the minority Democrats will use the votes to get concessions from the GOP.
The measure would fund the government and extend the debt ceiling through Dec. 8.
