House votes to keep government open until after midterms, avoiding pre-election shutdown

WASHINGTON — The House approved a bipartisan funding bill Tuesday that will keep the federal government fully operational until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

The House sent the bill to President Trump for his signature by approving the measure, 370-48.

Republican leadership secured passage of the bill funding the government through Dec. 11 on lawmakers’ second day back in Washington from a five-week recess. The House is next scheduled to adjourn Oct. 1 for the final stretch of midterm campaigning, but early passage of the spending bill — known officially as a continuing resolution — has led to speculation that members may be allowed to leave early.

The bill, which was tweaked by the Senate while the House was away, includes a funding boost for a handful of programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It also delayed a rule that granted White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) more power over funding — both of which were key priorities for Democrats.

Congress is tasked with funding the government through passing 12 appropriations bills for each fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. Congress hasn’t completed this responsibility on time since the 1990s and often relies on continuing resolutions to buy time.

Over the past year, the government has been shuttered for 122 days across three different occasions.