Partial government shutdown is avoided as Biden signs funding bills

President Joe Biden signed legislation Saturday to keep open a number of federal departments following a Senate vote Friday night to pass the bill by a vote of 75-22.

The $460 billion package includes six spending bills, funding military construction, water development and the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, according to The Hill.

The passage of the so-called “minibus” followed House passage on Wednesday by a vote of 339-85, with 207 Democrats and 132 Republicans supporting the bill.

The Senate now faces a March 22 deadline to pass six more appropriations bills to fund the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security. These bills are expected to face more challenges in reaching agreement.