Brinkmanship in Washington: funding impasse resolves (for now)

On Saturday, the clock will start running on a $1.1 trillion spending bill designed to keep the US government afloat until September 30. The bipartisan bill was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday after a series of concessions by Republican lawmakers.

The compromise was welcomed by Democratic lawmakers, with leaders in both the Senate and House praising the deal, perhaps in part because funding for some of President Trump’s controversial policies, including his border wall with Mexico, was omitted.

With the threat of government shutdown averted until September, lawmakers must now turn their minds to a more permanent deal. With Mr Trump seeking a massive increase in defence spending and deep cuts to social programs, it’s only a matter of time before a new clash between Republicans and Democrats threatens the federal government once more.