Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kty., speaks to the press in the halls of the Senate. (PHOTO: AP)
The GOP-controlled Senate passed a short-term spending bill on Thursday to keep the government open until Wednesday and give negotiators more time to work out a final bill.
The Senate approved the bill by voice vote, and it now goes to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass on Friday.
Lawmakers were hoping to hatch out a deal on a $1.1 trillion budget bill that funds all federal agencies in 2016. However, Republicans and Democrats could not agree on provisions dealing with several key issues, including the environment, taxes and Syrian refugees.
