WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Moving quickly to act on the deal President Donald Trump struck with Democratic leaders, the Senate voted Thursday to approve legislation raising the debt ceiling and funding the government for three months.
The Senate voted 80 to 17 in favor of the bill, which also provides $15 billion in emergency aid for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
The vote in the Senate came a day after Trump reached an agreement on the massive fiscal package with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., noted that the bill addresses three keys issues in one package.
'It will provide certainty and stability for first responders, state officials, and the many others involved in preparing for and recovering from these storms, with critically needed emergency resources that will not be interrupted by the prospect of a shutdown or default,' McConnell said.
'The recovery effort for a record-setting storm like Harvey has strained resources to the limit already,' he added. 'The advance of another historic storm now makes the need for action even more urgent.'
The legislation now heads back to the House, which previously approved a standalone bill providing $7.85 billion in disaster relief for Harvey.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX