US Congress Passes Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

The US Congress approved a stop-gap funding bill that averts a looming federal government shutdown and provides urgently needed money to help battle an outbreak of the Zika virus.

The House voted 342-85 in a late-night session on Wednesday to approve stop-gap funding to keep the US government operating from October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, until December 9, when lawmakers will attempt to approve longer-term money. The Senate voted 72-26 earlier on Wednesday to adopt the short-term spending bill. 

Besides providing money to keep the government operating, the legislation also contains $1.1 billion to battle the Zika virus that has hit Puerto Rico hard and spread to US states, most notably Florida.

The bill also includes $500 million for flood relief in Louisiana and other states. In a series of carefully orchestrated maneuvers after the Senate approved the temporary funding, the House passed a wide-ranging water resources bill containing $170 million to assist Flint by a vote of 399-25. 

Democrats have demanded action on the crisis, which stems from dangerous levels of lead in Flint's drinking water. A Senate version of the bill contains $220 million for Flint and other cities with problem water systems. 

Source : QNA