US House Approves Gov’t Funding Through Oct. 4

Posted September 29th, 2011 at 12:29 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would temporarily avert a government shutdown when the current fiscal year ends on Friday.

The measure passed Thursday, known as a short-term continuing resolution, continues funding for the government until October 4.

The Senate approved the bill earlier this week. Its next stop is the White House, where U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to sign it into law.

Most members of the House are away on recess this week. When they return next week, they will vote on a separate continuing resolution that would keep the government funded until November 18.

Passage of the legislation follows days of behind-the-scenes talks to resolve an impasse over government spending, deficits and taxes.

Analysts say the continuing conflict over government spending is not likely to improve Congress’ approval rating with the American public, which surveys show is at an all-time low of about 12 percent.

Last week 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.

On Monday FEMA announced it had sufficient funds to continue operations until Friday. The move cleared the way for passage of the bill.