In a bid to block a government shutdown Friday, lawmakers passed a short-term government funding bill just before it was set to lapse. This gave them a few more days of negotiations as the COVID-19 stimulus bill discussion in Congress extended into the weekend.

Congress was on the verge of letting the government shut down in the wake of lawmakers failing to put the finishing touches on the coronavirus rescue package and massive spending. House Democrats passed legislation recently to fund the government for a couple of days by a 320-60 vote, forwarding the bill to the Senate, which unanimously passed it.

The bill will now go to President Donald Trump for his signature. Lawmakers face the challenge of finishing negotiation before a Friday night shutdown deadline. Following the vote, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer noted that he believed a deal was possible, despite some significant issues outstanding as stimulus negotiations continued.

Hoyer informed lawmakers that the earliest the House could vote on stimulus legislation if a deal were to make would be on Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, USA Today reported. He told reporters that he would take some time to arrange the papers together when there is a deal.

After 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Hoyer said the chamber is slated to go into a recess until 5 p.m., while congressional leaders try to figure out how to move forward. He also informed representatives to make sure they keep Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday free. To minimize damage from a lapse in federal funding, lawmakers should approve a spending bill before Monday.

Congressional leaders are bent on working through the weekend and passing a bill before heading home for the holidays, according to CNBC. It is worth mentioning here that millions of Americans' livelihoods and health depend on Congress rolling out more aid before the end of the year.

In a floor speech on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said they had not reached a final agreement yet, but noted that all sides feel they are making significant progress on a major relief bill. While he admitted that they are not there yet, McConnell said their priority is to pass a stopgap government funding measure to ensure the federal government funding does not lapse. At the same time, they resolve their remaining difference, CNN reported.

Democrats and Republicans are optimistic a stimulus and funding deal can come to fruition this week. Congressional leaders have also been holding daily meetings wherein they are negotiating an agreement to restore lapsed benefits, offer funds for vaccine development and distribution, and roll out another round of stimulus checks to those struggling due to the pandemic.