Senate approves short-term spending bill to prevent government shutdown
WASHINGTON – A government shutdown was averted Thursday evening following Senate passage of a continuing resolution (CR) that maintains funding at current levels through Jan. 19, 2018.
The upper chamber approved the resolution in a 66-32 vote.
The House approved the measure on Thursday afternoon.
Had the resolution failed, the government would have run out of money at 11:59:59 p.m. EST on Friday.
The legislation reauthorizes FISA (Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act) for the duration of the CR. It authorizes the use of PAYGO waivers so that President Donald Trump can sign the GOP tax reform bill into law before the new year, and provides about $3 billion in emergency funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The Senate did not consider the $81 billion disaster relief package that was approved by the House on Thursday afternoon.
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
Bryan is an award-winning political journalist who has extensive experience covering Congress and Maryland state government.
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