Senate passes bill to avert government shutdown, sending it to Biden to get signed into law

By Victor Reklaitis

U.S. lawmakers have raced to pass the measure because the federal government had been funded only through Friday

The Democratic-run Senate has approved a short-term funding measure that prevents a partial government shutdown from hitting this weekend, with the vote coming after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives gave its OK on Tuesday to the continuing resolution.

The measure passed late Wednesday night, by a vote of 87-11.

"This Friday night there will be no government shutdown," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a floor speech before the vote Wednesday night.

The White House has said President Joe Biden plans to sign the two-tiered measure into law, noting it "maintains current funding levels and has no harmful policy riders."

The measure from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, sets up a divided Washington for more funding fights in early 2024, as it extends government funding for some agencies and programs only until Jan. 19, and for others until Feb. 2.

The government had been funded just through Friday, so a partial shutdown would have begun early Saturday if U.S. lawmakers hadn't been able to find agreement on a spending package.

-Victor Reklaitis

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11-15-23 2332ET

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