The US House of Representatives passed a stopgap funding bill by a vote of 220 to 205 to avoid a federal government shutdown before the November midterm elections. The bill would keep the government funded through December 4, with current funding set to expire at midnight on September 30. The measure now heads to the Senate for negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans want to boost military spending by 50 percent next year to 1.5 trillion dollars, while cutting healthcare and social services programs backed by Democrats. A final deal is not expected until after the midterm election results are known.