To avert a government shutdown during the holiday season, the U.S. Congress has approved a federal funding deal through mid-March. The move comes after intense negotiations between Republicans and Democrats that resulted in a temporary bill extending government funding through March 14. The extension gives lawmakers more time to negotiate new funding legislation.

The deal allocates more than $100 billion for disaster prevention and recovery efforts, as well as $10 billion to support American farmers.

Despite approval, the spending plan has been criticized by prominent figures. Billionaire Elon Musk called the deal “terrible” and “criminal,” urging Republican lawmakers to block it. Former President Donald Trump, for his part, voiced his opposition, calling for a renegotiation of the terms.

Despite these objections, lawmakers moved quickly to pass the bill and avert a government shutdown, which was scheduled to begin on December 20. A shutdown would have disrupted many government services and temporarily laid off hundreds of thousands of federal employees.

With the deal, the government avoided a shutdown, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate a long-term budget that meets the needs of the federal government and the American people.