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The U.S. Senate has approved legislation that would temporarily fund
government operations and avert a shutdown when the current fiscal year ends on
Friday.In a bipartisan vote ((79-12)), the Democratic-controlled Senate late
Monday approved a stopgap spending measure, known as a "continuing resolution,"
to keep the government operating through November 18. The approval came after
days of behind-the-scenes talks to resolve an impasse over government spending,
deficits and taxes.The Senate also approved a separate short-term continuing
resolution to October 4. The bill must be passed by the Republican-led House of
Representatives in order to avoid a shutdown.
The dispute began last week when the Democrat-led Senate rejected a
House-passed spending bill that would have temporarily funded the government
through November 18, but would have required spending cuts in exchange for a
funding increase for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.The breakthrough
came earlier Monday when FEMA announced it had sufficient funds to continue
operations until Friday. FEMA officials had previously said that funds would run
out earlier this week, threatening disaster relief aid for victims of hurricanes
and earthquakes.President Barack Obama told a town hall meeting in ((the western
state of)) California Monday that ideological differences in Congress are
preventing the U.S. government from solving its problems. He urged Congress to
act responsibly. |
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