US Senate gives final nod to legislation averting government shutdown

Both parties concluded it would be beneficial in an election-year with a Russia invasion looming large

The Senate has given final approval to legislation averting a weekend government shutdown, sending Joe Biden a measure designed to give bipartisan bargainers more time to reach an overdue deal that would finance federal agencies until fall.

Final passage on Thursday was by a bipartisan 65-27 vote, five more than the 60 votes needed. The House easily approved the legislation last week. Each party had concluded that an election-year shutdown would be politically damaging, especially during a pandemic and a confrontation with Russia over its possible invasion of Ukraine.