Senate set to consider pair of spending bills with shutdown looming

The Senate is expected to vote on a pair of stopgap spending packages on Friday as lawmakers seek a way to avert a government shutdown ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline.

Early in the day, the House is set to vote and potentially pass the GOP’s seven-week “clean” continuing resolution, sending it over to the upper chamber in the process. 

That would set the stage for the twin votes, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announcing the plan late on Thursday.

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