The Senate unanimously passed a short-term funding bill Wednesday evening that fully funds the government until next Tuesday, Dec. 22.
The Senate’s action parallels the House’s actions earlier Wednesday. A short-term bill was needed because it will still take several days yet before a full-year funding bill and tax extender package can be approved.
President Obama is expected to sign the measure, even though the White House has bristled at the need for extensions.
Without a funding extension through Dec. 22, the government would have partially shut down after midnight.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for the motion, which was met with no objection, and it passed with no debate. The House is scheduled to vote Friday on a bill that would fund the government through the remainder of 2016, after which the Senate will follow.
