Congress Punts Government Funding Fight Until After the Midterms

A broader budget package is likely to depend on the outcome of the midterm elections.

Rosa Delauro

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) told NOTUS that Democrats supported the continuing resolution because it tackled a number of their concerns. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Congress passed a bipartisan measure to fund federal agencies until mid-December on Tuesday, averting the threat of a government shutdown ahead of the November midterm elections.

The bill advanced through the House 370-48 and will extend current funding levels through Dec. 11. The measure also includes a provision demanded by Democrats that would delay a Trump administration rule putting political appointees in charge of issuing grants.

Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that the stopgap funding measure was House Republicans’ biggest priority ahead of a scheduled 10-day recess next week.