Senate approves sweeping bill on defense, domestic spending

The Hill: The Senate on Thursday approved a massive spending bill funding the Pentagon and critical domestic agencies in a significant victory for appropriators and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that could lower the chances of a government shutdown.
 
In an 85-7 vote, the Senate approved its third "minibus" package of spending bills.
 
This one was particularly important because it included funding for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Education, which is often a difficult package because of fights over abortion and other issues. Senators were able to avoid those fights in this case.

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