The US Senate on Saturday approved a short-term funding measure to finance
federal agencies through Dec. 11, aimed at averting a government shutdown weeks
before the midterm elections. The bill passed 90-6; Senator Graham (R-S.C.)
abstained. The measure lowers the risk of a shutdown on Oct. 1, the start of the
new fiscal year, but does not guarantee one will be avoided — the House must
reconcile the bill when it returns from recess.