Senate passes short-term bill to prevent a shutdown before the midterm elections

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 90-6 early Saturday to pass a short-term funding bill to remove the threat of a government shutdown before the midterm elections.

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 90-6 early Saturday to pass a short-term funding bill to remove the threat of a government shutdown before the midterm elections.

The legislation, advanced in a late-night session that stretched into the early hours, would keep federal funds flowing through Dec. 11 at existing levels to give time to negotiate a full-year deal.

It was negotiated by the two parties and includes some modest add-ons, including a provision demanded by Democrats aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from blocking federal grants to blue states for political reasons.

It also includes some adjustments to preserve the SNAP and WIC food programs, in addition to disaster relief and national security measures.

The bill now goes to the House, which needs to approve it and send it to Trump to become law by Sept. 30 in order to avert a shutdown beginning Oct. 1.