Congress Passes Short-Term Spending Bill, Averting Shutdown For Now

The House and Senate on Friday passed a short-term spending bill to fund the government, averting a shutdown at midnight.

Lawmakers in the House approved the measure in a 382-30 vote and the Senate shortly thereafter approved it by voice vote. It was only meant to buy more time to craft a more comprehensive spending deal that would fund the government through the rest of the fiscal year, or September 30.

The short-term bill, known as a continuing resolution, extends fiscal 2016 government funding levels through next Friday. Lawmakers are expected to reach the longer-term deal soon, which is known as an omnibus spending package.

Negotiators overcame two major obstacles this week to reach an agreement on the omnibus when the White House conceded that the administration doesn't need funding for the border wall yet and dropped its threat to halt Obamacare payments.