Congressional leaders announce agreement on funding bills to avert a government shutdown this week

Leaders in Congress have unveiled six bipartisan bills on Sunday to fund parts of the government through the remainder of the fiscal year. If the bills pass, it will avert a possible government shutdown that could happen on Friday.

The bills would fund a number of agencies through early fall, including the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Commerce and Energy, according to The Hill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that the two sides were able to reach a compromise that will keep “the government open without cuts or poison pill riders.” 

Republicans are already claiming some wins, according to the outlet, citing cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the funding package.  

The plans to move forward have met resistance from many of the Freedom Caucus members. As a result, the bills are expected to pass the House with a large majority of Democrat votes and a lower percentage of Republican votes.