The US Senate approved a two-week bill to continue funding the government until December 22 in an 81-14 vote Thursday. Earlier, Republicans in the House passed a stopgap spending bill in a 235-193 vote. Congress had a Friday deadline to pass their measures in order to avert a complete shutdown of the government. Now that the temporary funding has been passed, GOP leaders in the House and Senate will try to work closely with Democrat leaders, as both parties seek to reach a broader budget deal to fund the government through 2018. (Politico)