The measure, which passed with bipartisan support and minor changes, now heads back to the House. It is just the second legislative victory for the new Republican-controlled Congress.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took heavy criticism from fellow Democrats for backing the GOP measure, which he called the better of two bad options.

The Senate voted Friday to advance a bill funding the government through September and averting a government shutdown, thwarting an effort by some Democratic lawmakers who had wanted to use a shutdown threat to curtail President Trump's mass firing of federal workers.