The US House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill on Thursday that will avert a partial government shutdown and free up lawmakers to focus on more contentious negotiations over aid to Ukraine.
Passage in the House came after the Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill earlier on Thursday. The bill will now go to President Joe Biden for his signature, extending government spending at current levels for some federal agencies until March 1 and others until March 8.
“Avoiding a shutdown is very good news for the country, for our veterans, for parents and children, and for farmers and small businesses — all of whom would have felt the sting had the government shut down,” said Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, ahead of the votes.