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Congress on Wednesday avoided a government shutdown by passing a bill that keeps the government running through mid-December, but leaves unresolved a divide over federal spending that threatens to resurface this winter with more perilous economic consequences. ... Congress now confronts a new Dec. 11 deadline to try to strike a long-term budget deal at a time when House Republicans are losing their most experienced leader and remain split about how to negotiate with Mr. Obama and Democrats. (Peterson and Timiraos, 9/30)

The stopgap spending bill, which passed the Senate 78 to 20 and cleared the House 277 to 151, continues current funding levels through Dec. 11 and sets the stage for negotiations between congressional Republican leaders, who want to hew to strict caps on nondefense discretionary spending, and President Obama and Democrats, who want higher levels. ... Meanwhile, Republican demands to end Planned Parenthood’s access to Medicaid reimbursements and federal health-care grants, which nearly prompted a shutdown ahead of Wednesday’s midnight deadline, show no sign of abating. ... The influential conservative activist group Heritage Action for America, for instance, on Wednesday called on aspiring House leaders to end Planned Parenthood funding and respect the sequestration caps. (DeBonis and Snell, 10/1)

Conservatives in both chambers wanted the continuing resolution to cut federal funding for the women’s health care organization but nearly unified Senate Democratic resistance — not to mention a promised veto from President Barack Obama, meant the defunding language was jettisoned from the bill that the House cleared on a 277-151 vote and that will move on for Obama’s signature. A coalition of 91 Republicans joined 186 Democrats to pass the bill in the House. ... Conservative Republicans are already planning an aggressive tact to strip Planned Parenthood of its funding after falling short this round. ... And with the House GOP embroiled in leadership election intrigue after Boehner’s surprise resignation last week, there are several variables in play. Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters on Tuesday that he is worried that fights over spending caps, Planned Parenthood and overall government funding could lead to a shutdown in December. (French and Kim, 9/30)

The House of Representatives relied heavily on Democrats to secure passage in a 277-151 vote. A large majority of Republicans voted against the measure, which did not meet conservatives' demands to cut off money to women's healthcare provider Planned Parenthood amid an abortion controversy. The House also passed a companion bill aimed at restoring the Planned Parenthood defunding provision, but the Senate is not expected to act on it, effectively killing it. (Lawder and Cowan, 9/30)

The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday advanced a fast-track bill to defund Planned Parenthood for one year and repeal an Obamacare public health fund. The bill is part of the process called reconciliation, which will allow measures to bypass a Senate Democratic filibuster. President Obama is still sure to veto them, but Republicans say that they will at least reach his desk. (Sullivan, 10/1)