​​​​WASHINGTON

The US Senate passed a package of three funding bills Thursday, reaching the midpoint in its effort to fund the government for fiscal year 2026 before an end-of-month deadline.

By a vote of 82-15, the upper chamber approved H.R. 6938, commerce, justice, science, energy and water development; and interior and environment appropriations.

The bills are headed to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law.

The House of Representatives cleared the package in an overwhelming 397-28 vote last Thursday.

“Today, we sent funding bills to the president’s desk that reject the steep cuts he wanted and protect investments that families across America depend on every day,” said Sen. Patty Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

She said the package saves a key program to help families with their energy bills, sustains investments in scientific research and protects essential funding for public lands.

When the Senate reconvenes next week, it still needs to pass six remaining appropriations bills before Jan. 30, when funding for parts of the government expires.

The House passed a package, including two of the bills, Wednesday.