House passes funding bill to avoid shutdown before midterms

Key Points:

• The US House of Representatives approved a continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown, extending federal funding until 11 December, with a 370-48 vote, signaling bipartisan support ahead of the November midterm elections.
• The CR maintains current federal spending levels and now awaits President Trump's signature after passing the Senate last month, averting a potential shutdown that would have occurred if new funding was not approved by the end of September.
• The legislation includes policy adjustments favored by Democrats, such as delaying a controversial White House rule on grant cancellations, which helped secure broader Democratic backing despite prior disagreements over immigration enforcement funding.
• The funding agreement comes as both parties intensify campaigning for the 3 November elections, with Democrats aiming to regain control of the House and potentially the Senate amid challenges facing President Trump, including inflation and foreign policy issues.
• Previous government shutdowns were driven by partisan disputes over healthcare subsidies and immigration enforcement reforms, but this year's resolution marks a relatively smooth conclusion to the annual budget debate.