北美观察｜美参院为政府开门亮“绿灯” 两党的硬仗才开场

Core Points - The U.S. Senate passed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act with a vote of 60 to 40, marking a significant step towards ending the government shutdown that has lasted over 40 days since October 1 [1][2] - The act provides funding for the federal government until January 30 of the following year and temporarily halts certain layoffs that occurred during the shutdown [1][2] - The act includes full-year appropriations for military construction and veterans affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the FDA, as well as congressional operations [1][2] Legislative Process - After the Senate's final vote, the bill will be sent to the House of Representatives for approval, which has been in recess for nearly two months due to the shutdown [2] - If the House passes the bill without amendments, it will be sent to the White House for the President's signature and will take effect immediately [2] - If amendments are made, the bill will require further negotiation between the two chambers, potentially delaying the reopening of the government [2] Political Compromise - The temporary funding bill reflects a compromise between the two parties, with Democrats dropping the requirement to tie the reopening to the extension of ACA subsidies, and Republicans agreeing to halt layoffs and restore pay for affected employees [4][6] - This compromise has led to dissatisfaction within both parties, with some Democrats feeling that they have weakened their negotiating position and some Republicans believing the bill does not go far enough in reducing spending [8][9] Challenges Ahead - The reopening of the government will present significant challenges, including the need for agencies to recall staff, reset schedules, and process back pay, all of which may lead to operational delays [12][13] - The upcoming discussions in December regarding ACA subsidies will be critical, as they may reignite political tensions and complicate the legislative landscape [9][13] - The effectiveness of the compromise will depend on the House's scheduling, potential amendments, and the overall governance following the reopening [13]