The Senate voted to pass a short-term funding bill, avoiding a government shutdown, with a final vote of 88-9. The House had previously approved the measure. This bipartisan deal, reached after Speaker Kevin McCarthy dropped demands for massive spending cuts, will increase federal disaster assistance by $16 billion and keep the government funded until at least November 17. Notably, it did not include new funding for Ukraine, which was a point of contention among Senate Democrats. President Biden praised the agreement but criticized “extreme House Republicans” for causing delays. The bill ensures that federal workers won’t face furloughs, and essential government programs will continue operating.
