Senate passes first government funding package to avoid shutdown

The Senate passed a six-bill package to fund parts of the federal government through September, narrowly avoiding a partial shutdown. 

The upper chamber voted 75 to 22, sending the bill to President Biden's desk before a midnight deadline. Mr. Biden was expected to sign the bill Saturday. 

Republicans' demands for amendment votes on immigration-related and other measures slowed its passage and threatened to push the final vote to Saturday, after funding lapsed.

"We have good news for the country," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said ahead of vote. "We will keep important programs funded for moms and kids, for veterans, for the environment, for housing and so much more. Because both sides cooperated today, we've taken a major step towards our goal of fully funding the government. Today's bipartisan agreement gives us momentum and space to finish the remaining appropriation bills by March 22."