Congress funds government but not border wall

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending bill Wednesday that would avert a government shutdown, at least until after November’s midterm elections. The appropriations bill, passed by a vote of 361-61, keeps the government operating through Dec. 7. The Senate previously passed the bill, which provides funding for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Defense. It includes a nearly $3 billion increase in funds to fight the opioid epidemic and a $20 billion boost for the Pentagon.

“This is the first time in a decade that the Defense Department has not had to operate under a continuing resolution,” House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said.

The bill does not fund a border wall. While President Donald Trump previously threatened to veto any measure that did not do so, he said he would sign the bill to avoid a shutdown.