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The U.S. Senate closed in on passing a short-term spending bill that will keep the government funded into December. After weeks of uncertainty and speculation over another potential government shutdown, Republican and Democratic leaders were able to push through the spending bill that keeps government offices open past September 30.

The bill now goes to the House, which is expected to quickly pass the bill later today so it can be signed by the President before midnight. The agreement comes on the heels of the announced retirement of Speaker John Boehner; his plans to leave Congress at the end of October cleared the way to avoid a costly shutdown. This spending measure is set to expire on December 11th, setting up yet another potential Washington showdown just in time for the holidays.