Congress passes stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown

Driving the news: More than a dozen Republicans had threatened to block the bill, but acquiesced after leadership allowed a vote on an amendment to defund the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates.

• The senators got their vote, but the amendment failed 48-50.
• Some in the group expressed concerns about the politics of forcing a government shutdown. “If you look back in the past, Republicans have gotten most of the blame for shutting it down,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) told Axios earlier on Thursday.

What they’re saying: "While I wish it were earlier, this agreement allows the appropriations process to move forward toward a final funding agreement which addresses the needs of the American people.” House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said in a statement Thursday.

• “I’m pleased that we have finally reached an agreement on the continuing resolution,” Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said. “Now we must get serious about completing FY22 bills.”

What’s next: President Biden is likely to sign the bill before midnight Friday, when government funding is slated to run out.