U.S. Averts Shutdown in Surprise House Vote

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a two-bill spending package. This last-minute action prevents a partial government shutdown. Lawmakers approved the measure in a decisive 341-79 vote. The strong bipartisan support was unexpected. It moves the legislation to the Senate just hours before a midnight deadline. The package funds several key government agencies. These include departments for veterans affairs, agriculture, and transportation. Without this action, funding would have expired. This would have forced many federal operations to close. The Senate must now pass the bill and send it to President Joe Biden to sign into law. Leaders from both major political parties express confidence it will pass before the deadline.