US Congress passes spending bill to avert shutdown

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. Congress on Friday moved to avert a looming government shutdown with just hours remaining before funding ran out.

The overwhelming 382-30 House vote on a stopgap spending bill that will fund the U.S. government for one week was quickly followed by a voice vote in the Senate that sent the legislation to President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The bill gives lawmakers a much-needed extra week to craft a federal budget.

Several contentious issues continue to dog lawmakers as they prepare to pass an omnibus bill, including funding for Trump's heavily-promised wall along the border with Mexico, and payments for lower-income Americans to help pay for medical bills under the former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.

Republican leaders in the House are scurrying to gather votes that will ensure their plan to replace the act can successfully pass the chamber. House Speaker Paul Ryan was dealt an embarrassing defeat last month when he was forced to call a vote, lacking direly needed support from within his caucus.

A key group of conservative lawmakers earlier this week said that they would lend their support, but without the backing of moderate Republicans who have continued to indicate opposition, the bill's fate is uncertain.

House Democrats are likely to remain unified in opposition.

The stopgap measure passed Friday will fund the government through May 5.

There was little doubt that a short-term spending bill would be passed today as neither party had anything to gain from a potential shutdown.