Washington (CNN) — Congress set up a chaotic, high-stakes fight over spending at the end of the year, after both chambers voted on Wednesday to avert a government shutdown.
The stopgap spending bill, which will fund the government until December 20, will next be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The Senate voted shortly after the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson turned to Democrats to help pass the bill amid GOP defections.
Congressional leaders will now face a series of tough decisions right before the Christmas holiday. The political landscape will be vastly altered in the wake of the November elections, and Congress will be up against major deadlines not only for funding, but other key priorities as well. The outcome of the elections will determine how strong, or weak, a hand Johnson and other Hill leaders will have to play in spending talks.
Throughout the funding fight, Johnson …