Senate passes $1.2 trillion funding package in early morning vote, ending threat of partial shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills in the early morning hours Saturday, a long overdue action nearly six months into the budget year that will push any threats of a government shutdown to the fall. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The vote was 74-24. It came after funding had expired for the agencies at midnight, but the White House sent out a notice shortly after the deadline announcing the Office of Management and Budget had ceased shutdown preparations because there was a high degree of confidence that Congress would pass the legislation and the president would sign it on Saturday.

“Because obligations of federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis, agencies will not shut down and may continue their normal operations,” the White House statement said.

Prospects for a shortterm government shutdown had appeared to grow Friday evening after Republicans and Democrats battled over proposed amendments to the bill. Any successful amendments to the bill would have sent the legislation back to the House, which had already left town for a two-week recess.

But shortly before midnight Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a breakthrough.

“It's been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government,” Schumer said. “It is good for the country that we have reached

band and/or chorus class, agree to participate in meetings and committees within the organization and participate in at least one service project each school year.

One of their major events includes their seasonal Coffeehouse, which Mrs. Knepper said she started as an opportunity to provide all students within the building an opportunity to showcase their musical talents.

The coffeehouse was open for students to attend at two different times throughout the school day, as well as after school. Admission to the event was $2 per period, or students could pay $5 for the entire day. On top of enjoying the performances of their talented peers, students also had access to unlimited beverages and snacks at the event.

Several of the performances for the coffeehouse stemmed from Mrs. Knepper’s Modern Pop Rock Band class. This class, which was introduced last year, is the closest thing to starting a garage band. Students are free to select their own instruments and then work together in selecting and performing a song or multiple songs throughout the course of the semester. It originally started with seven students and has grown to twentythree.

Zoey Hoover, a senior in the class, performed a song that she wrote while playing the ukulele, as well as singing and performing with her band from the Modern Pop Rock Band.

“I actually didn’t know how to play the ukulele before the class. It really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone. I love the support and opportunity that this class provides for learning an instrument. I started with one song, and now I can play a ton of others. Learning to play the ukulele has even helped me learn guitar,” said Hoover.

Punxsutawney Tri-M will be hosting a regional Honors

Symposium on Tuesday, March 26, at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and it will be inducting 10 new members on April 24 at 7 p.m. at the James A. Colonna Performance Hall at Punxsutawney Area High School.