Congress averts a government shutdown ahead of the midterms
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill to extend federal funding through December 11, successfully avoiding a government shutdown. The stopgap measure allows lawmakers to delay budget negotiations until after the upcoming midterm elections.
Why it matters
Avoiding a shutdown prevents immediate disruption to federal services and removes a significant political distraction during the critical pre-election period.
Congress has eliminated the threat of a politically perilous government shutdown this fall.
The House voted Tuesday to extend federal spending at current levels with a few exceptions through Dec. 11, punting the funding fight until after the midterm elections.
Federal funding was set to run out again Sept. 30, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were eager to avoid a prolonged shutdown as voters head to the polls.
The legislation passed the House 370-48 with bipartisan support.
The Senate already easily passed the measure, known as a continuing resolution, in August. The White House encouraged lawmakers to support the stopgap, and President Trump is expected to sign it.
Congressional leaders turned to a short-term funding patch after bipartisan negotiations in the Senate to appropriate money for the next full fiscal year broke down.
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