Senate races the clock to pass key government funding bills ahead of shutdown deadline

The Senate is racing the clock to pass a package of six government funding bills ahead of a shutdown deadline at the end of the day Friday. A shutdown is not expected, but lawmakers must still lock in a time to hold a vote, which requires agreement from all 100 senators. Once the package of funding bills passes the Senate, it can be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law as the House passed the measure on Wednesday. Lawmakers are up against a pair of upcoming shutdown deadlines on Friday and March 22. The finalized package of…