House votes to extend government funding, aiming to avoid an election year shutdown
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to extend government funding through December 4, aiming to prevent a shutdown before the midterm elections. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it faces a 60-vote threshold for passage.
Why it matters
Avoiding a government shutdown is critical for maintaining federal operations and economic stability during a sensitive election cycle.
The House of Representatives voted 220 to 205 on Tuesday to extend funding for the government at existing levels through December 4.
Six Democrats joined with Republicans to advance the bill. The government is currently set to run out of money at the end of September, just before the midterm elections.
House Republican hardliners have lately been holding up legislation in a so far fruitless effort to pressure their Senate colleagues into passing President Trump's election overhaul bill, the SAVE America Act. The legislation would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and photo ID when casting a ballot. After some speculation the government funding bill could be caught up in that fight, the lawmakers let it proceed without incident.
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