WASHINGTON \u2014 The Senate voted 90-6 early Saturday to pass a short-term funding bill to remove the threat of a government shutdown before the midterm elections.<\/p>\n
The legislation, advanced in a late-night session that stretched into the early hours, would keep federal funds flowing through Dec. 11 at existing levels to give time to negotiate a full-year deal.<\/p>\n
It was negotiated by the two parties and includes some modest add-ons, including a provision demanded by Democrats aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from blocking federal grants to blue states for political reasons.<\/p>\n
It also includes some adjustments to preserve the SNAP and WIC food programs, in addition to disaster relief and national security measures.<\/p>\n
The bill now goes to the House, which needs to approve it and send it to Trump to become law by Sept. 30 in order to avert a shutdown beginning Oct. 1.<\/p>\n
If so, it would prevent the sort of brinkmanship that has become common in Congress ahead of the fall deadline. There is a broad anti-incumbency mood in the electorate that has afflicted both parties during this primary season, and neither side wanted to risk a shutdown that could carry treacherous political consequences just before Election Day on Nov. 3.<\/p>\n
The House passed a different short-term government funding bill last month before leaving for the August recess. The Senate is also expected to adjourn for the month after wrapping up some lingering business.<\/p>\n
Sahil Kapur is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.<\/p>\n