By a vote of 93 to 2, the Senate has passed legislation that would renew and extend several tax provisions affecting charitable giving, including one that would allow older donors to get a tax break when they give charities money from their individual retirement accounts, reports The Chronicle’s Government and Politics Watch column.

Plus: Both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have agreed to co-sponsor a bill to expand the country’s national-service programs and provide money to help nonprofit groups recruit volunteers and replicate innovative programs.