Senate clears first of two bills to fund government through 2020
The Senate approved the first of two spending packages to fund the federal government through fiscal 2020.
The 71-23 vote Thursday clears the measure for President Trump’s likely signature ahead of a Dec. 20 deadline.
The spending bill funds eight federal departments, including Labor, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, military construction, and Veterans Affairs.
The Senate later Thursday will vote on a second package to fund the Defense Department, Homeland Security, and other agencies. That measure includes $1.375 billion in funding for the construction of a southern border wall.
Congress...