House Clears Bill to Avoid Shutdown Before Midterms

The House passed a short-term measure Tuesday to fund the federal government into early December, a move designed to avoid a chaotic shutdown as lawmakers campaign for reelection, per the AP. Lawmakers needed to act before the fiscal year concludes at the end of September to avoid a funding lapse. They were determined not to bump up against that deadline during the campaign season following this past year's historic shutdowns.

The House passed the bill by a vote of 370-48. The Senate has already approved the measure, so it now moves to President Trump's desk for his signature. The legislation was the only substantive piece of legislation the House needed to pass upon returning to work this week. A record 43-day shutdown occurred last fall when the two parties disagreed on renewing an expiring tax credit that lowered the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.