Congress passes omnibus

Lawmakers have passed a $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016, averting the threat of a government shutdown. The latest continuing resolution, passed this week and signed Wednesday by President Obama, was to expire Dec. 22.

The measure passed the House on a 316-113 vote, with 166 Democrats and 150 Republicans voting in favor. It subsequently cleared the Senate on a 65-33 vote.

The omnibus bill passed the Senate as part of a package with a tax measure that cleared the House Thursday on a 318-109 vote.

The legislation will now be sent to the president, who is expected to sign it. In a Dec. 16 statement, the White House urged lawmakers to pass the funding bill.