"Congress Races to Pass $1.2 Trillion Spending Package and Avoid Shutdown"

Congressional leaders are working to approve a $1.2 trillion spending package before the funding deadline, with the bill expected to pass and wrap up Congress' work on spending bills for the year. The package includes about $886 billion for defense and funds various government agencies. House Republicans secured policy changes in the negotiations, while Democrats celebrated staving off most Republican policy mandates. The bill largely tracks with an agreement from 2023 and includes provisions such as a prohibition on funding for a United Nations relief program for Palestinian refugees.