WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Congress on Wednesday passed a short-term spending bill to prevent a partial government shutdown, as the current spending bill will expire on Sept. 30.

The House voted 342-85 Wednesday to approve the spending bill for Oct.1 -Dec.9 period. Lawmakers will then try to approve a longer-term spending plan. The new fiscal year will start from Oct. 1.

It is expected that President Barack Obamawill sign the bill into law before Friday.

The spending bill includes aid to the city of Flint, Michigan, where local people have been suffering a drinking water crisis since 2014, 1.1 billion U.S. dollars of funding to combat Zika virus and 500 million dollars for flood relief in Louisiana and other states.

The Congress is scheduled to recess starting Friday for the fall campaign. Lawmakers are expected to return on Nov. 4.