The package, known as the "minibus," consists of six spending bills that were passed by the Senate on Friday.

The funding package covers various important sectors, including military construction, water development, and the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. This comprehensive funding will allow these federal departments to continue their operations without interruption.

Although the funding deadline was set for midnight on Friday, federal agencies did not face a shutdown because Congress had successfully passed the necessary appropriations. The White House assured that federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis, ensuring continuity.

The bill secured overwhelming support in the Senate, with a vote of 75-22 in favor. The passage of the "minibus" marked the culmination of weeks of bipartisan negotiations, which began at the start of the year.

The House of Representatives also expressed strong support for the legislation, with a vote of 339-85. A total of 207 Democrats and 132 Republicans backed the measure, aligning with the previously reached spending caps deal between former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and President Biden.

Speaker Mike Johnson and Schumer reaffirmed the spending deal, which establishes a top-line spending limit of $1.65 trillion. Additionally, $69 billion in adjustments were included in a "side deal" to raise the federal debt limit in 2023.

While the signing of the $460 billion spending package is undoubtedly a significant step towards stabilizing government operations, there is more work to be done. Senators will now shift their focus to passing the remaining six appropriations bills, which will fund the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and other vital priorities.

These forthcoming appropriations bills are expected to be more challenging, as conservatives seek to attach policy riders. One such rider aims to block the Pentagon from reimbursing travel costs for service members who obtain abortions, while another seeks to eliminate Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas's salary, following his impeachment by House Republicans last month.

Lawmakers have until the deadline of March 22 to secure the necessary funding for these departments and address the policy concerns that have emerged. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the eventual outcome and ensuring the efficient functioning of the federal government.