China News Agency, Washington, December 11 (Reporter Sha Hanting) The U.S. Senate passed an interim budget by an oral vote on the 11th local time to avoid a “closed” government.

　　The budget will ensure that the government will operate normally for a week to 18 after the current budget expires at 12 o'clock in the evening on the 11th, so as to allow time for the Congress and the two parties to continue negotiations on the annual budget and the economic stimulus plan for the epidemic.

　　The House of Representatives voted to pass the interim budget on the 9th.

The White House has also indicated that the president will sign the budget.

　　In negotiations on a new round of economic stimulus plan, Senate members from both parties jointly introduced a total of US$ 908 billion in aid earlier this month, which was supported by Democratic leaders, but was approved by Senate Republican leader McConnell. Opposed.

　　At present, the differences between the two parties stem from the Democrats' request that assistance to the state and local governments must be included, while the Republicans insist on protecting companies and individuals prosecuted for issues related to the new crown epidemic.

McConnell recently proposed that the two parties put aside disputed issues for the time being in order to reach an agreement, which was opposed by the Democrats.

　　The two parties in Congress have been negotiating a new round of economic stimulus plan against the epidemic for several months, and have yet to reach an agreement.

A number of important assistance projects previously passed, including emergency unemployment benefits, will expire at the end of this month.

　　In recent days, many economists including Fed Chairman Powell have called on Congress to pass a new round of economic stimulus plan as soon as possible, saying that otherwise it will have an adverse effect on the US economy.

US President-elect Biden also urged Congress to act immediately on the 11th.

Biden said, "Millions of Americans can't wait, and state and local governments are in urgent need of assistance."

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