Washington, D.C. (CNN) - Congress passed a temporary spending measure on Thursday that will keep the federal government funded and open for business until December 16. The continuing resolution was necessary because the federal government is set to run out of money by midnight Friday.
The House passed the measure by a vote of 298-121 Thursday afternoon, and the Senate followed suit Thursday evening, passing the measure 70-30.
The measure was passed as part of a larger spending bill for a number of government agencies for fiscal 2012 - including the Agriculture Department, the Food and Drug Administration, the Transportation Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, among others.
Overall spending levels in the new measure conform to the outlines of an agreement reached in Congress earlier this year.
The previous continuing resolution was enacted October 5 as part of a deal providing an additional $2.65 billion in disaster relief needed in the wake of Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and a series of tornadoes and wildfires.
In addition to early October, partial government shutdowns were also threatened during budget talks in the spring and the debt ceiling debate over the summer.
The short-term funding measures are necessary because Congress has failed to complete its full budget appropriations process, which has become a victim of sharp partisan divisions over spending priorities.
The last extension was intended to provide more time to debate and pass spending measures covering the remainder of fiscal year 2012. It's been over 15 years, however, since both chambers of Congress passed the full range of such bills.
Instead, Congress has relied on other ways to extend spending authority, such as continuing resolutions or so-called "omnibus" measures that bundle together multiple appropriations bills.
– CNN's Alan Silverleib contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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Just tell congress that it is another TARP bailout for the banks and it will be passed tommorow..
Glorified lawyers still trying to stay relevant. Your time is over.
Stop paying the Congress their salary until they work right
Another stop gap, but no solution.
the dems had congress and the pres for two years plus , now it is an issue ,
Whats one more kick of the can?...
The difference between the US and Europe is that in the US all speak same language ,but concerning the deficit both are similar.
We should cut congresses budget. We are paying a bunch of people for a job that they are not doing.
way to kick the can down the street...
yes republicans take my tax dollars that can be used for support for our troops, into medicare and other important must haves for our countries survival. We are the people and we are speaking PASS THE BUFFET RULE.
We've already done the infrastructure spending in Stimulus I and II. We're still in the same mess.
These measures should only be for essential services.
Shouldn't that read "Congress passes continuing resolution, avoids another shutdown threat until next time"?
I just wonder how much time and money was wasted on extension after extension against actually passing a true budget. I wouldn't be suprised if the actual amt ends up being greater then what the proposed budget was set to be
Why dont Congress do some insider trading for the country..Make the country some money instead of putting it in their pockets.
"We disagree to agree"
When will the Senate Democrats start working? They haven't pass a budget for three congressional sessions. They are the party of 'NO', no work, no budget. Shouldn't this congressional welfare stop? Harry lied to Steve Wynn to get elected and Wynn is not in a forgiving mood.
Such as state of union address & take the oath of their office. Do the votes for bills by web-cam or via satillite. Then cut their healthcare plan out. Freeze they're salary until they bring unemployment 7%. I guarantee you would save millions of taxpayer money or you have unemployment problem & economic debt making great strides of improvement.
If the Govt. cant reach a decision, why not let american voters decide? not only should this relive the fighting in congress, it would force their decisions. It is supposed to be for the people anyway. Let them work for the federal minimum wage and see how that affects their decisions
Why is it that these peolpe who are paid a great deal more than most of us can't seem to do their job? It isn't just the issue with the budget, it is the condition of our entire nation, every aspect of our society is in shambels. Infrastructure, healthcare, education, environment, "business in general and politics" (I qoute because I see them both as nothing more than criminal empires). Our so called "civilized society" is crumbling around us due simply to the greed and power of a few......and sadly nothing is going to change until it gets so bad the only solution destroys the country.
No budget means the dems can keep the spending pace up to what is was. How sad.
What a way to run a government of the 3rd largest country in the world.
Teabaggers won't be happy until they shut down the government. Look for them to push for the end of the Medicare Part D drug plan soon.
Isn't it about time somebody smacked those Republicans? Aren't we in bad enough shape already? I would really like to see a cross-section of who is electing these guys.
Okay, we know we got the shaft, but we would like details please.