A controversial $1.1 trillion bill financing government agencies passed the House late Thursday night thanks to support from both Republicans and the Obama White House.
The House approved the measure before a midnight deadline by 219-206--it needed 218 to make it-- after a nail-biting meeting, prompting a message of gratitude from House Speaker John Boehner.
“My job tonight is to say thank you and Merry Christmas," he said, describing the bill as "responsible" on Twitter after the vote.
This measure puts us on track to save taxpayers more than $2.1 trillion while protecting jobs and supporting our national defense. 2/4— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) December 12, 2014
The compromise bill keeps agencies funded through next September. President Barack Obama phoned Democratic lawmakers and urged them to back the measure earlier in the day.
Many conservatives opposed it because it did not block Obama's recent executive actions on immigration. But one republican vowed to vote no because he had insufficient time to digest the massive bill.
I’m voting NO on the #CRomnibus because it is a 1600 page, $1.1 trillion dollar bill that I had 48 hours to read. #tcot— Jim Bridenstine (@RepJBridenstine) December 12, 2014
A large majority of House Democrats opposed it because of provisions easing some restrictions on banks and allowing higher political contributions by big donors. But prodding by the Obama administration earlier in the day prompted some wary Democrats to get on board.
At urging of President, voted for #CRomnibus Many flaws. But delaying until January, when GOP is in full control, means we get a worse bill.— Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) December 12, 2014
The apparent scrambling by politicians to avert a federal government shutdown--which to some may seem like déjà vu-- became a popular topic on Twitter with #CRomnibus trending much of the evening.
After passing the spending bill, the House voted to keep the government's doors open for another 48 hours to give the Senate time to vote on the measure in the coming days. The Senate also passed the two-day continuing resolution.
The Senate has passed the two-day CR, no shutdown tonight.— Adam Jentleson (@AJentleson) December 12, 2014
Jentleson, Democratic Sen. Harry Reid's communications director, noted earlier in the evening that a Senate vote on the measure could come as early as Friday.
The Senate will pass the two-day CR tonight. CRomnibus vote could be as early as tomorrow but we'll need cooperation to vote before Mon.— Adam Jentleson (@AJentleson) December 12, 2014
A Twitter account managed by the leadership staff of Senate Democrats sent numerous tweets out Thursday evening puffing up the polarizing bill's bright spots.
The bill provides $260 million to respond to a surge of unaccompanied children from Central America coming to the U.S.— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) December 12, 2014
The bill provides $500 million more to meet the health care needs of Iraq and Afghanistan vets.— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) December 12, 2014
The bill provides a $108.9 million increase for Social Security administration.— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) December 12, 2014
By the same token, critics in Congress also took to social media to share their thoughts on the bill's weaknesses.
I will continue to fight the president’s unconstitutional #Amnesty as well as flawed legislation like the #CROmnibus http://t.co/JMo3hZlA2w— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) December 12, 2014
Voted No on the #CRomnibus. I support fully funding our gov but this had too many egregious policy riders. Read more: http://t.co/b7Do0k9D87— Rep. Bobby Scott (@repbobbyscott) December 12, 2014
Just voted NO on the #CROmnibus – bill contains special interest giveaways, weakens Dodd-Frank regs & empowers wealthy donors. #unacceptable— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 12, 2014
Additional reporting by The Associated Press