Senate passes bill to avoid a shutdown, ending funding fight at the 11th hour
Congress passed a short-term bill to avoid a government shutdown, sending it to President Joe Biden's desk to sign into law.
WASHINGTON — The Senate gave final passage to a bill early Saturday morning to keep the government open for three more months, sending it to President Joe Biden's desk to end the threat of a government shutdown during the holidays.
The vote was 85-11.
The Republican-controlled House passed the bill hours earlier. Although the final vote technically went past the midnight deadline to avert a shutdown, the White House said that Biden would sign the bill Saturday and avoid forcing U.S. troops, Border Patrol agents, air traffic controllers and millions of other federal workers to work without pay.
"Agencies will not shut down and may continue normal operations," Emilie Simons, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary, posted on X.
The House vote was 366-34, with all opposition coming from Republicans and one member voting present. It capped a tumultuous week that foreshadowed how the new Congress in January might deal with a mercurial Donald Trump back in the White House.
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