The Republican-controlled Senate took a step toward preventing a government shutdown Monday, advancing a temporary spending measure that would keep federal agencies funded through December. But the move also comes as lawmakers face growing pressure to resolve a much bigger political fight before the November midterm elections.
Senators voted overwhelmingly to move forward with the stopgap funding bill, clearing a major procedural obstacle with an 89-4 vote to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed.
The bipartisan margin demonstrated that, despite deep disagreements over federal spending and other political issues, there is broad support in the Senate for avoiding another government funding crisis.
