Senate Passes Funding Bill Avoiding Government Shutdown

The Senate passed a stopgap bill to extend government funding through February 18, avoiding a government shutdown.

The bill passed 69 to 28, Just the News reports. Senate Republicans threatened not to support the bill unless it included a measure preventing the Biden administration from enacting rules requiring employers to force their employees to get vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.

Republican lawmakers indicated Thursday that an amendment vote on the vaccine issue would clear the way to an accelerated process. The amendment was added, but failed to pass in a 50 to 48 vote.

Republicans who voted for the bill include Sens. Roy Blunt (Mo.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.V.), Bill Cassidy (La.), John Cornyn (Texas), Susan Collins (Maine), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.), John Kennedy (La.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Jerry Moran (Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), Mike Rounds (S.D.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Richard Shelby (Ala.), Thom Tillis (N.C.), Rodger Wicker (Miss.) and Todd Young (Ind.).

It now heads to Joe Biden’s desk for him to sign.