WASHINGTON - Congress on Thursday was racing to avert a partial government shutdown with U.S. government funding set to expire at midnight.
The U.S. Senate is poised to approve a stopgap measure that would fund the federal government through Dec. 3. The House is expected to take up the measure later Thursday following the Senate vote.The Senate is set to convene at 9:30 a.m.
ET.The bill's expected approval will buy lawmakers more time to craft the spending bills that will fund federal agencies and the programs they administer.
If not enacted, the government would face a partial shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Friday.RELATED: What happens when the government shuts down?Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.