WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Saturday issued the following statement after the Senate passed a bill 88-9 to avert a government shutdown:

“I’m delighted that Congress was able to avoid a painful and unnecessary shutdown. I am also pleased that programs working families desperately need were not cut and that, in fact, there was a good increase in funds for disaster relief which will help Vermonters rebuild from July’s terrible flooding.

“I look forward to seeing Congress provide, in the very near future, financial support for Ukraine which is valiantly struggling against Russian aggression.”