US Senate passes spending Bill, averts imminent shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., walks outside the chamber ahead of final work on a partial government funding bill, at the Capitol in Washington, March 8, 2024. [AP Photo]

The U.S. Senate narrowly averted a partial government shutdown Friday, as the chamber approved spending legislation for several government agencies just hours before current funding was due to expire.

Senators voted 75-22 to approve a $467.5 billion spending package that will fund agriculture, transportation, housing, energy, veterans and other programs through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The package headed to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.