debt ceiling and spending legislation that will ensure the country avoids a federal default, sending the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk and ending one of the most stressful periods of congressional dealmaking in recent memory.The legislation passed the upper chamber a day after the House united in rare bipartisan fashion to approve the deal reached between Republicans and the White House, which has few fans but will ensure the U.S.
can continue to pay its debts.“America can breathe a sigh of relief,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said as he announced an agreement on the vote.The legislation passed the Senate by 63-36, with both Democrats and Republicans voting no.
It will now go to Biden’s desk for his signature, making it law.Biden said on Twitter he would sign the bill “as soon as possible” and address the nation on Friday.Congress was racing to meet a Monday deadline set by the U.S.
Treasury — the so-called “X-date” when the nation would run out of reserve funds and other “extraordinary measures” it was using for debt repayments and federal funding since hitting the debt ceiling in January.