With only hours remaining before the end of the fiscal year, the Senate today approved a one month stop-gap spending measure, effectively extending the E-Verify program through October 31, 2009. As previously reported, the House passed the continuing resolution last week, and the bill now heads to the White House for President Obama’s signature. The Senate Committee on Appropriations press release is available below.

The Senate also approved a $4.7 billion legislative branch spending bill, which provides funding for congressional offices and related agencies. Lawmakers must now work on the remaining 11 spending bills, including the DHS bill for funding E-Verify. Stay tuned for more updates.