House approves bill to fund government through September 30

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed legislation to keep federal funds flowing to government agencies through September 30, seeking to avert shutdowns that otherwise would begin on March 27 when current funding expires.

The House bill was passed by 267 votes to 151. It gives President Barack Obama's administration flexibility in how it will achieve savings in defense and veterans' programs that are required as part of the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that began on Friday.

Next week, the Senate is expected to take up the "continuing resolution" to keep the government operating through the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends on September 30. That measure is expected to give broader flexibility on achieving the automatic spending cuts than the House-passed bill.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/06/us-usa-fiscal-congress-vote-idUKBRE9251AR20130306

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WASHINGTON—The U.S. House on Wednesday voted to extend spending cuts that went into effect on March 1 and keep the government operating for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30.

The legislation is necessary to keep the federal government open after current funding runs out on March 27. It would keep in place automatic spending cuts known as the sequester for all federal agencies, while giving the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments more flexibility in setting spending priorities.

The House voted 267-151, with around 50 Democrats joining most Republicans in support of the bill. Fewer than 20 Republicans voted against the bill, relatively few defections compared to other budget bill votes in the House over the last couple of years.

"The House has taken the first step towards assuring the American people that the federal government will stay open, which President [Barack] Obama agrees should be our shared goal," House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) said in a statement. "The Senate should pass the House measure without delay."

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