The U.S. Senate passed a stop-gap two-step spending bill on Thursday, in hopes of averting a government shutdown:

The Senate on Thursday passed a two-step stopgap to keep the government funded into March, as lawmakers try to quickly tie up their funding work ahead of a looming shutdown deadline and forecasts of inclement weather Friday. 

The Senate voted 77-18 to pass the bill Thursday afternoon.[...], 

The latest continuing resolution (CR) pushes the funding deadline for the departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, and for the Food and Drug Administration to March 1.

It also pushes the funding deadline for the remaining government agencies, including the departments of Defense, Labor and Education, from Feb. 2 to March 8.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) seemed optimistic that the Democrats and their Republican colleagues can "continue seeing even more bipartisanship," before the bill passed Thursday:

Once we put the threat of a shutdown behind us, I hope we continue seeing even more bipartisanship as appropriators complete the very important task of fully funding the government in the coming weeks.

The legislation now moves on to the House of Representatives for a vote Thursday night--this, despite pushback from the House Freedom Caucus, including the group's chair, Rep. Bob Good (R-VA). Good said:

The Speaker is considering it, and he’s working through the mechanics to make sure that … we have the best path forward on how to do it within the legislative process.

According to Speaker Mike Johnson's office communications director in a post on X, nothing's going to change:

The plan has not changed. The House is voting on the stop gap measure tonight to keep the government open. https://t.co/ZhGzWWCEOT

— Raj Shah (@RajShahDC) January 18, 2024

Since Johnson is expected to bring up the legislation on the floor "under suspension of the rules," and only need two-thirds of members to vote "aye." That leaves very little wiggle room for Freedom Caucus members to stop the bill's passage. Don't expect many fireworks, in other words.

This is a developing story. RedState will bring you updates as they become available Thursday evening and in the coming days.