Politics

Congress Dodges Government Shutdown

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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Congress managed to dodge a government shutdown Wednesday, passing a continuing resolution to keep the government funded and provide resources for the Zika crisis just two days before its deadline.

The House passed the bill in a 342-85 vote after House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were able to strike a deal on funding for the Flint, Mich., water crisis Tuesday evening.

The Senate passed the bill earlier in the day in a 72-26 vote, after the Flint funding deal was announced. The upper chamber blocked a procedural vote on the legislation introduced by McConnell, citing its discontent on flood funding for Louisiana and other states being included in the text of the bill without Flint aide.

An authorization amendment was tacked onto the Water Resources Development Act, providing Democrats assurance there will be action on funding down the road.

“In addition to keeping the government open, this bill provides funding to train and equip our military, and improve care for our veterans. It also provides needed resources to fight the spread of the Zika virus in the United States and Puerto Rico,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. “I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for getting this responsible legislation done and urge the president to sign it into law.”

Congress returns from recess in November, when it will resume consideration of spending bills.

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