WASHINGTON — The House voted Tuesday to pass a short-term funding bill and avert a government shutdown at the end of September, keeping money flowing at current levels until Dec. 11.
\n\nThe legislation, which has already passed the Senate, sailed through the chamber by a vote of 370-48. It now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.
\n\nThat would take the biggest legislative item off the to-do list for Congress ahead of the elections Nov. 3, punting stalled negotiations over a full-year funding deal until after the midterms.
\n\nThe two parties have clashed over the scope of federal spending as Democrats reject Trump’s call for a massive $1.5 trillion military budget, a spike from the already record-breaking $1 trillion that Congress gave the military this year.
\n\nFunding the government requires 60 Senate votes to defeat a filibuster, meaning it must have bipartisan support even though Republicans control both chambers and the White House.
\n\nHouse Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., accused Democrats of blocking a deal to weaken politically vulnerable Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.
\n\n“I do want to finish all the bills before the end of the year. Now, whether…
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