Congress is moving swiftly to fund federal agencies and avoid a government shutdown. The House and Senate are expected Wednesday to give approval to a bill that would fund the government into December and avoid a federal shutdown just weeks before the Nov.

They're expected to kick the can down the road as lawmakers try to dodge a devastating shutdown. The agreement avoids the shutdown that was slated to begin at midnight on Sept. 30, ensuring Americans retain access to crucial government services and sidestepping an embarrassing political blunder with just weeks until the presidential election.

Washington lawmakers reached a spending plan Sunday that will keep the government operating through December, avoiding a looming shutdown.