The White House asked the US Congress on Thursday to vote on the fastest extension of the ongoing budget, so that the US does not experience in a month the much-discussed shutdownthe paralysis of a large part of the federal state.

“It is clear that short-term fiscal legislation will be needed next month,” the White House budget office said in a statement.

The goal, according to the announcement, is to “avoid serious disruptions to federal operations” once the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

“We need to fund programs important to Americans and address urgent needs,” President Joe Biden’s spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre said, adding that if a vote is not held soon, food aid programs could be in jeopardy.

“There’s no reason why Congress can’t do its job,” he added.

The US Congress is currently divided, with the Senate in the hands of the Democrats and the House of Representatives in those of the opposition Republicans.

It is the second time in a few months that the world’s largest economy is facing the risk of political and economic impasse.

It was only in June that the risk of a default was averted after lengthy negotiations between Mr. Biden’s administration and the American right.

The suspension of payments would be something unprecedented, however the US has experienced several times, more or less prolonged shutdowns, periods of fiscal paralysis.

The debate this time will focus on about $20 billion in additional funds that the presidency requested on August 10.

In particular, President Biden wants Congress to approve an additional $13 billion in aid to Ukraine.