Senate breaks spending logjam passing first 'minibus' bill

The Senate passed a package of fiscal 2019 spending bills that lawmakers hope will mark an end to a years-long pattern of partisan funding fights.

In an 86-5 vote, senators approved the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019, a group of three spending bills lawmakers are calling a minibus. The name comes from the typical omnibus spending package of all 12 spending bills lawmakers typically end up passing at the last minute.