Senate passes bill to fund the government, including another $12 billion for Ukraine

The U. S. Senate on Thursday passed legislation that would fund the government through mid-December, sending a bill that would avert a government shutdown to the House of Representatives.

The Senate voted 72 to 25 in favor of a continuing resolution to fund the government, including $12 billion in additional aid for Ukraine and hundreds of billions of dollars for the executive agencies carrying out President Joe Biden's agenda. Twenty-two Republicans voted for the bill, which conservative lawmakers had pointed out would fund COVID-19 vaccine mandates for federal employees, Biden's preferred green energy policies, the administration's immigration policies, the Internal Revenue Service funding that Republicans say will add an additional 87,000 IRS agents to the federal workforce, and more.

Biden is expected to sign the bill on Friday, assuming it passes in the House, where Democrats hold the majority. His signature would keep the government open through Dec. 16, when Congress will meet in a lame-duck session after the midterm elections to consider another spending bill. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) unsuccessfully urged his colleagues not to support a Democratic spending bill that would kick the can to a lame-duck Congress.

But neither party wants to be blamed for a government shutdown so close to the November elections. The bill passed and the Senate will not resume session to consider legislation until after the elections, freeing up lawmakers to go home and campaign.... (Read more)

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