U.S. Senate passes stopgap spending bill without Trump priorities

The U.S. Senate has successfully passed a short-term spending bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown before the November midterm elections, Bloomberg reported. President Donald Trump's requests for funding in the Iran war and new voter identification measures were not included in the legislation. Senators voted 90-6 to approve the bill, which will fund federal agencies from October 1 through December 11.

The measure now proceeds to the House of Representatives, which is anticipated to consider it after lawmakers return on August 31.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins hailed the bill's passage as a "major step toward averting a damaging shutdown that only harms vital programs and federal workers." Lawmakers dismissed Trump's demand to incorporate voting restrictions, stating that insufficient support existed to pass such measures. The Senate is projected to commence its summer recess without addressing the White House's separate demand for approximately $70 billion in emergency funding for the Iran war.

The bill incorporates some administration-backed provisions permitting military hardware projects to continue during the temporary funding period. Senators eliminated a proposed one-month delay to new hemp regulations following objections from conservative lawmakers. The measure also prohibits a proposed White House rule that critics claimed could steer federal grants toward Republican-supporting states. Additionally, it prevents the Border Patrol from securing increased funding through a legislative loophole.

The bipartisan vote diverges from previous spending disagreements that led to a record government shutdown last year and a narrower shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security this spring. Democrats supplied the votes necessary to overcome a filibuster after determining that another shutdown would yield minimal political gain before the midterms.

Congressional leaders aim to concentrate the election campaign on Trump's administration of the U.S. economy. House approval is essential before the measure can be delivered to the president.