The Senate voted 87-11 on Wednesday night to pass a stopgap funding bill, averting a government shutdown until after the holiday season.
The bill was passed with bipartisan support, though 10 Republicans and Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet (CO) voted against the measure.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) discussed the measure before the vote, saying that the measure needed to be passed.
“Because of bipartisan cooperation, we are keeping the government open without any poison pills or harmful cuts to vital programs — a great outcome for the American people,” Schumer said.
The bill will offer Congress short-term funding into next year, giving Congress more time to discuss the issue.
“If the speaker is willing to work with Democrats and resist the siren song of the hard right in the House, then we can avoid shutdowns in the future and finish the work of funding the government,” the top Democrat said.
The stopgap funding bill is a staggered CR that funds part of the government through Jan. 19 and other parts of the government through Feb. 2.
This means funding will run out for the Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs departments in January. The Defense Department and the remaining parts of the government will be funded into the second month of 2024.
Newly appointed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) also argued that the legislation would prevent lawmakers from adopting an omnibus spending package right before Christmas, being that funding goes into next year.
There are no spending cuts or continued policy provisions in the CR, which was crucial in securing the votes of Democrats.
However, the bill also excluded aid for Israel and Ukraine, border security, or humanitarian assistance, meaning Congress will have to reconvene on both issues.
Schumer said Wednesday that if Speaker Johnson is willing to work across the aisle, then a shutdown shouldn’t be an issue.
The bill made its way to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he is expected to sign it and keep the government open with a day to spare.