Senate strikes agreement to clear funding patch on Wednesday to thwart government shutdown

The House and Senate are both set to pass a stopgap funding bill on Wednesday to head off a government shutdown early next week and punt the spending deadline into late December.

Senate leaders reached an agreement Tuesday night to fast-track debate on the funding patch, which will keep federal agencies running on current budgets through Dec. 20. The House will vote first on passage, freeing lawmakers early for a six-week recess in their final stretch of campaigning ahead of Election Day.

Senate passage will clear the bill for President Joe Biden’s signature, avoiding a funding lapse come Tuesday, the first day of the new fiscal year. Whether a final deal can be reached in December to cement new funding levels will depend on Election Day outcomes for party control of the House, Senate and White House.