US House votes to avoid government shutdown

The US House of Representatives voted late Tuesday to pass a measure avoiding a government shutdown ahead of Friday's midnight deadline.

In a bipartisan 336-95 vote, the chamber passed a short-term funding bill that now heads to the Senate for approval.

"We would like to do it as soon as possible," Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters after the House bill was passed. "I want to avoid a shutdown."

Schumer said he and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell want to quickly pass the bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), in a bipartisan effort to avert a shutdown before next week's Thanksgiving holiday.

"McConnell and I are going to work together," Schumer said, adding: "To get it done as quickly as possible."

"It's nice to see us working together to prevent a government shutdown and to deal with all of the other big issues that we have ahead of us during this period between now and the time the CR expires," said McConnell.

The legislation would continue funding the US government at its current 2023 levels until Jan. 19 for agencies including Veterans Affairs, the Food and Drug Administration, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Energy and Water Development.

Funding would remain in place for all other federal agencies through Feb. 2.

The bill does not include any supplemental aid for Israel or Ukraine, which newly appointed Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said would be the next step.

"We also are better positioned in the upcoming supplemental debate to demand Border Security, ensure oversight of Ukraine aid, and support our cherished ally, Israel," Johnson said in a statement released after the House passed the measure.