Government steps up Ayushman drive, 30 crore cards issued till January 12

Congress Averts Government Shutdown , With Short-Term Funding Extension. The stopgap measure was passed by Congress on Jan. 18, CNN reports. . It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 77-18 and then in the House by a vote of 314-108. It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 77-18 and then in the House by a vote of 314-108. It will now go to the president to be signed into law, avoiding a partial government shutdown that was set to occur after Jan. 19. Another government shutdown deadline was also set for Feb. 2. . Two new funding deadlines, March 1 and March 8, will be established by the short-term funding extension. . This will give Congress more time for appropriations bills for the year to be passed. House Speaker Mike Johnson has faced criticism over a spending deal he made with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The deal would set overall spending at approximately $1.66 trillion, CNN reports. . Johnson stands by the spending agreement and says the short-term funding extension... . ... “is required to complete what House Republicans are working hard to achieve: an end to governance by omnibus, meaningful policy wins and better stewardship of American tax dollars.”