US Senate Passes Spending Bill, Averts Shutdown, and More
In a late-night session, the US Senate narrowly passed a six-month spending bill, just hours before the deadline, avoiding a government shutdown. The bill, which received a 54-46 vote, is set to be signed by President Donald Trump. This comes as a relief for lawmakers, who had been scrambling to reach a consensus on a compromise.
The Senate also plans to vote on a separate bill to maintain Washington, D.C.’s 2025 budget levels, which would prevent a $1 billion in cuts. This move has been praised by Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called it "very good news" and urged the House to approve it quickly.
In other news, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, "persona non grata," citing his criticism of Trump and accusations of being a "race-baiting politician." This rare decision was made public on Twitter by Rubio, who stated that Rasool is no longer welcome in the country.
The US State Department has taken similar action in the past, targeting lower-ranking diplomats. South Africa’s ambassador has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, and this move is seen as a response to his comments.
Meanwhile, Trump has taken steps to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with plans to cut most of its funding and terminate 83% of global aid programs. In a separate development, the administration has agreed to resume payments to a Texas-based Catholic charity that assists refugees, following a lawsuit.
Three former heads of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have expressed their concerns over plans to reverse 31 key environmental rules, calling it a "catastrophe." Led by former EPA chief Gina McCarthy, the group has warned that this move will have devastating consequences for the environment and human health.
The Trump administration has also faced criticism from the likes of Senator Mazie Hirono, who joined union leaders in condemning planned job cuts at the Department of Education. These cuts are part of a broader plan to reduce government agencies.
In a surprise move, Trump suggested that a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war may be near, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has respect for this country." However, State Department officials have denied that the US had backed down on demands for an immediate Russian withdrawal.
Finally, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has criticized Senate Democrats for supporting the Republican-backed spending bill, warning that it will "allow Trump and Elon Musk to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid." She has urged her colleagues to support an alternative 30-day stopgap plan instead.
In closing, these developments highlight the ongoing political drama in the US, with lawmakers divided on key issues and the administration facing criticism from various quarters. Despite the challenges, lawmakers have managed to avert a government shutdown, but the ongoing stalemate will likely continue to make headlines in the coming days and weeks.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-senate-passes-six-month-spending-bill-government-shutdown-9886914/
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Publish Date: 2025-03-15 05:19:00
