PANews reported on December 21 that according to NBC, after the House of Representatives passed the emergency appropriations bill to prevent the government from shutting down, the bill will be voted on in the Senate. The consent of all 100 senators is required to pass the emergency appropriations bill to avoid a government shutdown before midnight. When asked if there would be a vote before midnight, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer said: "We are now completing the amendment process." If the Senate vote exceeds the midnight deadline, the government shutdown may only last a few hours, with minimal impact on the functions of the federal government. At the same time, the Senate is also working on the Social Security Fairness Act, which may be agreed upon at the same time and passed tonight.