Senate Casts Votes At Midnight, Then Leaves

Roll Call has the story, filed at 2:04 a.m. Saturday with the headline, “Senate Approves CR, Leaves Washington Under Cover of Night.” An excerpt:

The continuing resolution passed the Senate 62-30 after clearing the 60-vote cloture hurdle. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill last week.

The vote takes a potentially politically damaging fight over federal spending and a possible government shutdown off the table, enabling Members to return home and campaign.

Had no deal been reached to set up the early Saturday morning votes, Senators would have been stuck in town through the weekend.

Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye both voted aye.

— Michael Levine