Senate Approves Last-Minute Funding Bill To Avert Government Shutdown Before Election Day

The Senate on Saturday night voted to approve a short-term funding bill that will keep federal agencies open until early December, averting a potential government shutdown before the midterm elections. The measure provides $9 billion in emergency funding and extends other existing programs, avoiding a possible stalemate at the start of the holiday season. The approval comes as lawmakers worked against a looming deadline to prevent a shutdown. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.