WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Saturday approved a stopgap funding bill that would keep the federal government operating through Dec. 11, sending the measure to the House as lawmakers seek to avert a government shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year.
The measure passed by a 90-6 vote, according to reports of the Senate action. It would generally maintain federal funding at current levels while providing lawmakers additional time to complete fiscal 2027 appropriations.
The legislation now faces the House, which has passed a separate short-term funding measure that would keep agencies operating through Dec. 4. The differences between the two bills will need to be resolved before Congress can send a final measure to President Donald Trump.
The Senate measure also contains a provision that would block the administration from finalizing a proposed change giving political appointees greater control over federal grant approvals during the stopgap period, according to congressional reports.
The current fiscal year ends Sept. 30, meaning Congress must enact funding legislation or another temporary measure before then to prevent a lapse in federal appropriations.
The House's response remains pending, and the final outcome of the funding negotiations was not immediately clear.
