By Richard Cowan, Bo Erickson, Andy Sullivan and Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Congress passed spending legislation early on Saturday in a down-to-the wire burst of activity that will avert a destabilizing government shutdown ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

The Senate has passed legislation to boost Social Security payments for millions of people. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation early Saturday to boost Social Security payments for millions of people, pushing a longtime priority for former public employees through Congress in one of its last acts for the year.

President-elect Donald Trump plans to launch a mass deportation operation targeting millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and with temporary protections once he takes office on Jan. 20, a challenging initiative that could split apart families and affect U.S. businesses.

The Senate confirmed two more judges to the federal bench on Friday, giving President Biden a total of 235 since he took office.

President Joe Biden’s diverse cohort of judges includes more women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals than those tapped by any other U.S. president.

Biden secures the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency, exceeding Trump's first-term total by one after Democrats focus on federal courts.