The US House of Representatives has approved a stopgap spending bill (active until 21 December) that would prevent a government shutdown, sending it on to the Senate.
The move was initiated as funding for several federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, State Department and Department of Homeland Security, will expire in the next few days and there is still disagreement remaining over spending measures concerning border security.
One of the core disagreements is connected with the Congressional Democrats' refusal to fully support the $5 billion in border security funding, which includes a wall at the Mexican border, proposed by US President Donald Trump.
READ MORE: Trump Clashes With Mexico's Top Diplomat Over Payments for Border Wall
Among other agencies expecting budget finalization are the US Department of Justice, NASA, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Speaking about the disputes over the budget, US Senator from Vest Virginia Shelley Moore Capito stated, as quoted by MetroNews, that "it's essential that we get better and bigger border security when you see the numbers just escalating of the number of people that are coming across illegally."
READ MORE: Trump Says Wall Could Save US Money Amid Reports of Migrants Breaking Through
In the meantime, four US Senators, namely Jim Inhofe, John Kennedy and Ted Cruz have introduced legislation that would secure full funding for the wall. Commenting on the proposed bill, Senator Mike Rounds, its co-sponsor, explained that it is aimed "to protect against illegal immigration and stop those who wish to do us harm, such as terrorists, gang members and drug dealers, from entering the United States".
READ MORE: US Senators Roll Out Bill to Fully Fund Border Wall With Mexico
