Congress Approves Stopgap Funding, Averting Government Shutdown

Why it matters locally: A federal government shutdown would have impacted federal services and programs relied upon by South Dakotans, including those related to agriculture, Native American tribal services, and federal employee salaries within the state.

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WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to extend government funding through mid-December, preventing a shutdown. The vote took place weeks before the fall midterm elections. The measure ensures federal operations continue past the end of the fiscal year. Congress had a few weeks remaining before current funding expired.