In between negotiations on the $700 billion financial intervention legislation, on Saturday, September 27, the Senate by a vote of 78 to 12 passed a Continuing Resolution (H.R. 2638) funding most of the federal government at FY08 baseline levels through March 6, 2009. Passage of the Continuing Resolution ensures that the International Affairs Budget will be funded at the present FY08 base level of $34.3 billion through the first part of 2009, until a new Administration and Congress takes office in January to complete the remaining FY09 Appropriations bills.  The legislation also includes the FY09 Defense, Homeland Security, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations bills as well as a $22.9 billion disaster relief package, which includes $565 million in international affairs emergency funding for Georgia, Haiti and global food aid.