The Senate passed a bill to keep the government funded until December 16, which puts the government on a path to avoid a shutdown this weekend.
After the November midterm elections, a stopgap bill gives negotiators time to come up with a full-year funding agreement.
The legislation is expected to be passed to the House ahead of the Friday midnight deadline to avoid a funding lapse. Democrats may get little Republican help, as House GOP leaders are encouraging members to vote against the measure.
The last thing the American people need right now is a pointless government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N. Y., said before the vote. I am optimistic that we are on track to avoid one well before the funding deadline. I thank all my colleagues for their good work and cooperation. The funding bill includes $12 billion in aid for Ukraine, funding for Afghan refugees, security enhancements for U.S. courts, and a five-years reauthorization of the Food and Drug Administration user fee program.
It is the last major bill that Congress hopes to pass before the Nov. 8 election, giving lawmakers a chance to go home and campaign before voters cast their ballots to decide which party controls the House and Senate for the next two years.
The Senate passage came after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va. backed down earlier this week on his push to overhaul the permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects, which had faced some progressive resistance and broad Republican opposition.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said that the U.S. aid to Ukraine was literally an investment in our national security. Blunting Putin's offensive in Ukraine will diminish his capacity to threaten other targets throughout the free world. He said it will help deter other authoritarian regimes like China. The Biden administration must move more quickly to deliver it to Ukrainian forces on the front lines because Congress is providing more funding.