House approves two-week spending measure to avert shutdown

The House passed a two-week measure to keep the government funded and stave off a partial shutdown by unanimous consent on Thursday.

The vote essentially punts a divisive debate on funding for President Trump’s border wall to the next two weeks.

The Senate is expected to pass the measure later in the day, just ahead of the Dec. 7 deadline.

{mosads}Trump is demanding that Congress include at least $5 billion in funding for the wall in legislation to fund the rest of the government through the next fiscal year.

Democrats have only agreed to $1.6 billion in funding for border security, and have the ability to filibuster legislation in the Senate. The party will also take over the House majority next month.

Work on a funding deal was largely set aside this week as Congress observed ceremonies surrounding the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush. The House canceled votes this week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are slated to meet with Trump to discuss spending levels next week.

The continuing resolution extends funding at current levels for a slew of government agencies including the Depatments of Homeland Security, State, Interior, Justice, Transportation and Commerce, among others, until Dec. 21.The legislation also provides a two-week stop-gap for the National Flood Insurance Program and extends programs included in the last stopgap measure, such as the Violence Against Women Act for an additional two weeks. 

In September, Congress passed separate legislation fully funding other major departments including Defense, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.