The U.S. House of Representatives worked against the clock on Friday to pass a crucial government funding bill.

The bill, passed as a means to prevent a government shutdown, now awaits the signature of President Joe Biden, as the Daily Mail reports.

The 118-page continuing resolution (CR) extends federal funding until March, incorporating more than $100 billion in aid for those affected by recent hurricanes, as well as support for farmers.

Crucial Negotiations Lead to Bipartisan Support

The resolution was approved with an overwhelming majority, securing a bipartisan vote of 366-34. This successful vote was a result of intense negotiations between Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and his Democratic counterpart, Hakeem Jeffries.

Earlier proposals had faced significant challenges. Speaker Johnson’s initial 1,547-page bill was met with criticism and reduced to a more manageable 116 pages, though it failed in a subsequent vote due to opposition from most Democrats and 38 Republicans.

These setbacks led to continued private meetings among Republicans throughout Friday, seeking a compromise that would ensure the bill’s passage before the funding deadline.

Elon Musk, Donald Trump Influence Proceedings

The negotiations were notably influenced by figures outside of Congress.

Both Donald Trump and Elon Musk weighed in, pushing for the inclusion of their policy priorities in the resolution.

Musk’s criticism of the initial lengthy bill on his X app, and subsequent support for the revised version, highlighted the external pressures faced by legislators.

“The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances,” Musk remarked.

Despite the defeat of the Trump and Musk-endorsed 116-page bill, the final version that passed was only slightly larger at 118 pages, prompting Musk to note the transition from a bill “that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces.”

Speaker, Democrats Maneuver Through Political Landscape

Speaker Johnson was confident throughout the day, asserting, “We've got a plan. We will not have a government shutdown.” His leadership was crucial in navigating the bill through the House.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats were critical of the Republicans' approach, particularly their initial attempt to include the debt ceiling in the discussions.

This was seen as a deviation from previously negotiated bipartisan agreements.

However, Democratic Party leader Hakeem Jeffries ultimately urged his party to support the final version of the bill, signaling a tactical retreat to ensure federal operations continued uninterrupted. Jeffries reportedly told members, “We will live to fight another day.”

Final Steps Towards Government Continuity

With the House’s approval, the bill went on to secure Democrat-controlled Senate, where it is expected was met with further scrutiny but in the end, passage.

The timely approval of the resolution by both the Senate and President Biden was essential to avoid any disruption in federal funding, which was set to expire mere hours after the House’s decision.

The successful passage of this bill reflects a significant moment of bipartisan cooperation, addressing both immediate fiscal needs and broader political demands, setting the stage for future legislative endeavors.