Senate passes stopgap funding bill to prevent government shutdown

The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill on Wednesday, with a vote of 78 to 18. This measure extends federal funding at current levels until December 20. Earlier, the House approved the bill 341 to 82, with bipartisan support. This marks the seventh time in a year that Congress has funded the government in this manner. The bill includes $232 million for election security and allows quicker spending by FEMA for disaster relief.