Mitch McConnell: Senate will pass stopgap funding bill to avoid shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that the Senate will take up and pass a short-term spending bill by the end of Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown, and give Republicans and Democrats another week to work toward a long-term spending bill.

“The House has introduced a short-term funding bill that we expect to pass before Friday night’s deadline, so that a final agreement can be drafted and shared with members for their review prior to its consideration next week,” McConnell said in his opening speech on the Senate floor Thursday morning.