House passes short-term spending bill to avert government shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to approve a short-term spending bill that will fund the federal government through December 11 and avert a government shutdown at the end of the month.

In addition to keeping the government open, the bill – which was approved by a vote of 359 – 57 – will add an additional $8 billion to the federal government's Pandemic EBT program that provides money to low-income families with school-aged children to help them buy food.

Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), who voted in favor of the bill, on its passage today:

"Congress has to do more to help the millions of families who are struggling as a result of this pandemic," DeGette said. "While this bill isn't everything we wanted, it will help avert another disastrous government shutdown that would be devastating amid this crisis, and it will allow us to continue providing some much-needed assistance to thousands of families in need right here in our area."