US government prevents chaos: interim budget approved!

US government prevents chaos: interim budget approved!

A significant step towards ending the weeks-long standstill in the USA: The House of Representatives recently passed an interim budget until the end of January. This decision brings a breath of fresh air into the messy political situation and could free government business from its lethargy. The draft was passed with 222 votes for and 209 against, with even some Democrats who are actually opposed to the law signaling their support. A report from Nordkurier highlights that the interim budget now requires the signature of US President Donald Trump, which is expected on Wednesday evening (local time).

There has been a standstill since October 1st as no federal budget has been approved. Government employees therefore have to wait for their salaries, food aid is not available and thousands of flights have been canceled. This is a serious situation that is becoming a problem for many citizens and is significantly affecting daily life. It's hard to believe that this shutdown has now lasted 43 days - the longest in the history of the United States. Previously, the record was set at 35 days in 2019.

Political tensions and agreements

The budget dispute between Republicans and Democrats has been dragging on for weeks now. The Democrats' demand for an extension of the tax credits for health insurance contributions, which expire at the end of the year, is particularly hotly debated. Republicans rejected such an extension, which could potentially lead to higher monthly premiums for many insured people. Nevertheless, some Democrats in the Senate gave in over the weekend and appeared ready to support the Republicans. Republicans have promised to vote on health care costs in Congress next December, but these efforts are seen as futile in the House of Representatives.

The interim budget is set to run until the end of January. Given the current difficulties, the mood is tense: If no regular budget is passed, there could be another shutdown as early as February.

A look at the USA

To better understand the context, it is worth looking at the United States itself. With a population of over 340 million people, this is the third largest country in the world. Characterized by a colorful cultural diversity and the motto “In God We Trust”, the USA, as a federal presidential republic, has enormous economic and political importance on a global level. The country covers 3.796 million square miles and has one of the strongest economies in the world. Wikipedia notes that the United States has a long history from the Revolutionary War to its role as a global superpower in the 20th century.

The coming days will be crucial as to whether the interim budget can bring the hoped-for relief or whether political differences will continue to cause unrest. It remains exciting for citizens to see how the situation develops and what impact this will have on their everyday lives.