Congress averted a government shutdown Friday just hours before the funding deadline, after the Senate approved a House-passed spending bill that exposed deep rifts within the Democratic Party.

A Republican-sponsored continuing resolution to keep the government operating was approved by the House. It faces a close vote in the Senate.

"With great sadness, we announce that former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey died peacefully on March 15 at the age of 87, surrounded by her loving husband, children, and grandchildre

A liberal Democrat from New York, she championed women’s issues and rose to one of the most influential positions on Capitol Hill during 32 years in Congress.

Nita Lowey, a powerful member of Congress for decades while representing parts of downstate New York, has died. She was 87. Lowey, who represented much of Westchester as well as Rockland County, died on Saturday,