WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to extend government funding through Dec. 11.
The bill passed 78-20 and now goes to the House, which must act before midnight to head off a shutdown, and House Republican leaders say they plan to pass the bill in time.
Meantime, top-level negotiations between GOP leaders in Congress and the White House to resolve critical end-of-year budget issues — including a longer-term government funding bill, an increase in the debt ceiling, new funds for highway construction, and renewal of expiring tax provisions — are expected to begin soon.