The U.S. Senate passed a short-term appropriations bill on Thursday by a vote of 65 to 35 that would fund the U.S. government until December 3 to prevent the federal government from shutting down after midnight on Sept. 30.

The bill will then be sent to the House of Representatives for a vote. Barring delays, the House of Representatives is expected to approve the bill and send it to President Joe Biden for signature before running out of money.

The legislation, which includes funds for hurricane relief and resettlement of Afghan refugees, is expected to be passed with bipartisan support, as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke in support of the bill Thursday morning.

A government shutdown could lead to vacations for federal workers and the suspension of some services. The shortage of funds may pose special challenges in the United States' fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Congress can kill a possible crisis on Thursday, but another is just around the corner. Lawmakers still need to raise or suspend the debt ceiling by Oct. 18 to prevent a default on U. S. debt from causing job losses, economic losses and a fall in the stock market.