The Senate passed the $1.2 trillion funding package early Saturday after a last-minute agreement, averting a partial government shutdown.
The funding legislation was approved by a vote of 74-24 at 2:02 a.m. ET, more than two hours after the midnight ET deadline for passage of the critical legislation that was approved by the House on Friday.
The package includes funding for a slate of critical government operations, including the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, State, and the legislative branch.
Ahead of the final vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said:
“It's no small feat to get a package like this done in divided government. These past few months have shown yet again that when bipartisanship has room to work we can get the job done.”
The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.
The vote marks a major moment on Capitol Hill as it brings to a close an annual appropriations process that has dragged on far longer than is typical – an effort that has been punctuated by partisan policy disagreements and a historic change of leadership in the House after conservatives ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in an unprecedented vote last year.
While final passage came after the midnight deadline, the Senate’s action effectively prevented any lapse in funding or government function and the federal government is now funded through the end of the fiscal year.
The post was updated with more details on the final passage of the Senate bill.