By a 339-85 vote, a “minibus” of six appropriations spending bills advanced out of the House ahead of a deadline on March 8. Eighty-three Republicans were joined by two Democrats in opposing the measure that provides funds to various facets of the federal government through September. The legislation now heads to the Democrat-controlled Senate ahead of a March 8 deadline. It has the support of the Senate leadership as well as the White House. ...

Lawmakers passed the minibus under suspension of the rules, a mechanism that allows leadership to limit debate and prohibit floor amendments while requiring a two-thirds majority for the legislation to prevail.