Senate Passes $460 Billion Spending Bill to Fund Agencies and Avert Shutdown
• US Senate passed a $460 billion spending package to fund various federal agencies and avert a government shutdown • Bill is a major step towards finalizing 2024 federal budget after months of deadlock in divided Congress • Funding approved for agriculture, transportation, housing, energy, veterans programs through Sept 30 • Congress still needs to approve larger spending package covering military, homeland security, healthcare etc. • Debate over annual budget has been chaotic with reliance on stopgap bills while leaders struggle to reach full-year deal