House Approves Spending Bill With Wall Funding, Shutdown Prospects Remain Murky

The House voted 217-185 Thursday evening to approve a measure to keep the government open and provide the Trump administration with $5 billion in funding for the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, putting the onus on the Senate to avert a shutdown. Congress and Trump have until midnight Friday night to enact a spending package representing roughly one-quarter of discretionary spending or there will be a partial government shutdown. Among the federal entities at risk of shutting down some or all of their operations are the departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, State, Interior, Agriculture, Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, and Justice, as well as other independent agencies.