Senate easily advances stopgap funding deal past first hurdle

The Senate advanced a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown, passing a procedural vote 89-4. The bill would fund federal agencies through Dec. 11 with some exceptions and includes provisions restricting the Trump administration's plan for political appointees and new funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Senate and House versions differ, creating potential conflict ahead of the fiscal year-end shutdown deadline.