The U.S. Senate on Aug. 1 passed a so-called “minibus” spending package to fund the government in the upcoming fiscal year, approving a slate of noncontroversial spending items.
The slate of funding bills includes about $187 billion in appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), legislative branch operations, military construction, and rural development.
It’s the first time in years that the Senate has passed any funding legislation before the August recess.
The bills were passed in overwhelming bipartisan votes in two parts.
The chamber voted 87–9 in favor of passing a bill to fund military construction, the VA, agriculture, and the FDA. The bill to fund the legislative branch—including salaries, resources for lawmakers, and other operational expenses—passed 81–15….
Senate Passes $187 Billion ‘Minibus’ Funding Package
