Congress Passes Short-Term Government Funding Measure read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1061-congress-passes-short-term-government-funding-measure

The "clean" short-term funding bill put forth by Senate Republican leaders also includes provisions to fight the Zika virus, fund research for opioid research and provide emergency relief for flood-ravaged Louisiana.

The House joined the Senate in approving a critical government funding measure to avoid a shutdown of the federal government before the general election.

The Senate passed its version of the bill tabbed at $220 million, but without a guarantee that the House would go along, Senate Democrats had objected to approving the emergency funding deal.

The House vote allowed negotiations to move forward on the emergency funding. The $50 million difference between the two versions of the water development bill will be worked out in a conference committee after the elections.

The 343-85 House vote came hours after the Senate approved the same measure, 72-26.

The way was cleared for the agreement afternoon when the House passed legislation that would direct $170 million in assistance to address the crisis of lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, and other cities.

Democrats had sought the money to fight Zika since they came back from summer recess, but they had prevented the Senate from moving forward because of "poison pill" provisions added by House Republicans that would have defunded Planned Parenthood.

“In addition to keeping the government open, this bill provides funding to train and equip our military and improve care for our veterans," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Wednesday night. "It also provides needed resources to fight the spread of the Zika virus in the United States and Puerto Rico.

 

With action on the must-pass funding bill complete, the bill goes to President Obama for his signature. But soon after Congress returns for its post-election session it will begin wrangling on the next round of spending bills, with little time again to avert a potential shutdown.