WASHINGTON — The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday hours before a midnight deadline as Congress approved a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open. President Joe Biden quickly signed the bill into law.
The package was approved by the House 335-91, with most Republicans and almost all Democrats supporting. Kansas First District Representative Tracey Mann and Fourth District Representative Ron Estes voted against the temporary spending bill. Second District Representative Jake LaTurner and Third District Representative Sharice Davids supported the measure.
Late Saturday, Senate passage came by an 88-9 vote. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran voted in favor of the measure along with Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt and Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall voted against the bill.
The package funds government at current 2023 levels until mid-November, and also extends other provisions, including for the Federal Aviation Administration. The rushed package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Biden’s full request. The bill funds government until Nov. 17.