The Senate on Thursday passed a stopgap bill to fund the government for an additional week, staving off Friday’s looming government shutdown as lawmakers race to finalize a broader funding package before the holidays and control of the House flips.
Lawmakers voted to pass a continuing resolution freezing government funding at current levels through December 23 late on Thursday evening.
The weeklong measure averts a government shutdown ahead of a midnight deadline on Friday—when current funding expires—and gives negotiators time to iron out a more comprehensive, full-year spending package.
The measure passed by a vote of 71-19.
The bill was approved by the House on Wednesday and now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
Before the bill’s passage, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said there is a “lot of work left to do and not enough time to do it” unless government funding is extended for another week, according to CBS.
It is also the “responsible step to ensure we finish the year without hiccups and with minimal drama,” Schumer added, according to Politico.
