Photo taken on April 2, 2021 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill to avert a government shutdown ahead of a Friday night deadline, sending the legislation to U.S. President Joe Biden's desk for a signature.

Senators voted 65-27 on the bill, which funds the government through March 11 at current levels.