The House of Representatives has approved a short-term spending bill to keep the government funded, aiming to prevent a shutdown before the November midterm elections. The measure passed with bipartisan support, though it faced opposition from some lawmakers. The stopgap bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.
The funding extension is intended to buy time for negotiations on a longer-term budget. This marks the latest effort by Congress to avoid a shutdown, which would disrupt federal services and furlough workers. Speaker Mike Johnson warned that Democrats might force another shutdown later this year, while critics noted the repeated use of short-term measures reflects ongoing disagreements over spending levels.
The Senate is expected to take up the bill in the coming days. If passed, it would fund the government through early December, pushing the next funding deadline past the election. Lawmakers hope this temporary solution will allow more time to reach a comprehensive budget agreement. However, without a final deal, the threat of a shutdown remains.