Congress passes spending bill to avoid shutdown, again punts on health care

(Photo by Liz Ruskin/Alaska Public Media)
Updated at 5:05 p.m. ET.
With the clock ticking, Congress on Friday managed to fulfill its basic function — keeping the federal government running.
The House and Senate approved a short-term measure that funds the government for another week. Lawmakers voted hours ahead of a midnight deadline to avoid a partial shutdown of federal agencies.
Friday’s extension gives members of Congress more time — until midnight on May 5 — to try t