Senate Inches Closer To Passing Spending Package

The Senate has overcome resistance from conservative Republicans, voting 63-35 to advance the USD$467.5 billion six-bill spending package past its final filibuster. The bill must pass today to avoid a partial government shutdown at midnight. The package needed 60 votes to clear resistance from a group of Republicans who called for immigration related amendments.

• A vote on final passage on the package, which covers roughly two-thirds of discretionary spending, is expected later this evening.
• Caitlin Emma at Politico notes: "If final passage doesn't happen tonight, it will happen tomorrow after a tiny partial shutdown."
• Congressional procedure expert Matt Glassman notes that a short shutdown will may cause, "a tiny lapse in appropriations," adding the OMB, "won't make them start orderly shutdown procedures if there's legislation that will be signed within hours."