Senate Passes $850B "Minibus" Spending Package

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The Senate approved a $850 billion spending package Thursday to provide funding for several government departments through the end of September.

Senators approved the "minibus" package, providing funding for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Education by a vote of 85-7. 

"I am proud of what these bills contain and how the Senate has crafted them. I want to particularly thank Chairman [Richard] Shelby and Senator [Patrick] Leahy," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said before the vote.

The $854 billion included in the bill passed Thursday accounts for about 60 percent of the 2019 appropriations bills and to date the Senate has passed nine of the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government past Sept. 30.