Senate passes 3 funding bills as battle to prevent shutdown heats up

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led Senate passed a trio of government funding bills Wednesday with broad bipartisan support, a move that some senators hope will pressure the Republican-controlled House to change course from its partisan approach. The Senate voted 82-15 to approve funding bills covering military construction and veterans affairs, transportation and housing, and agriculture. The vote breaks a lengthy logjam on government funding ahead of a Nov. 17 deadline to avert a shutdown. "There is definitely uncertainty with regard to how the House will respond to our strong bipartisan votes on appropriation bills," said Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., a member…