House passes short-term spending bill, averting shutdown

The House passed a short-term government funding resolution Thursday afternoon, avoiding a government shutdown. The bill is designed “to provide for further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.” 

With a Friday deadline to avoid a government shutdown, the House voted 231-188 to pass the continuing resolution (CR), funding the government through January 19. The legislation needed 212 votes to pass. 

The bill also serves as a short-term extension to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), providing $2.85 billion until March 31st. It also provides funding for the Veterans Choice program and emergency funding to the Department of Defense for missile defense and ship repair in addition to reauthorizing FISA Section 702 until January 19th.

The bill will now head to the Senate, which is expected to take it up quickly, just as the House concludes for the rest of 2017. Members will return on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

The House also passed a separate $81 billion disaster relief bill 251-169 to help states recently impacted by hurricanes and wildfires, such as Texas, Florida and California. It will now also go to the Senate.