Senate clears first hurdle in avoiding shutdown, votes to advance short-term spending bill

Washington — The Senate crossed its first hurdle Tuesday night as it seeks to pass a stopgap spending measure to stave off another government shutdown ahead of a fast-approaching deadline at the end of the week.

In a 68-13 vote, the upper chamber advanced a bill that will serve as the vehicle for the stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution. It would extend government funding deadlines to . . .