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Legislation that would ensure funding for federal agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year is an urgent priority for congressional Democratic leaders, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

WASHINGTON — Facing a Dec. 3 funding deadline, Congress averted a partial U.S. government shutdown and passed a stopgap spending measure Dec. 2, and President Joe Biden signed it into law Dec. 3. 

A new bill from U.S. House lawmakers meant to fund the Department of Transportation through fiscal 2022 would back an operational budget increase for federal trucking safety programs and ensure the distribution of infrastructure grants around the country.

The powerful Appropriations Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives will be led during the next session of Congress by Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro, her caucus announced this month.

A package of fiscal 2021 appropriations bills that included the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies measure recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

FMCSA would receive $881 million for operations during the next fiscal year under legislation a House panel approved July 8.

Legislation that would fund operations at the U.S. Department of Transportation for the next fiscal year will be considered by a House panel in July.

Debates on COVID-19-related economic measures, which dominate the agenda on Capitol Hill, are overshadowing must-pass legislation that would keep the government funded through fiscal 2021.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated the chamber would vote as early as the week of Nov. 18 on legislation to temporarily fund the government.

The Senate on Oct. 31 voted 84-9 to advance legislation that would fund federal transportation programs through fiscal 2020.