Obama signs second stopgap spending bill
Source: AP-Excite
By DAVID ESPO and DONNA CASSATA
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate unexpectedly cleared the way Saturday night for swift passage of a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill that highlighted fissures inside both political parties in an era of divided government.
The agreement capped a day of intrigue in which Democrats launched a drive to confirm about 20 of President Barack Obama's stalled nominees before their majority expires at year's end. Several Republicans blamed tea party-backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for creating an opening for the outgoing majority party to exploit.
The spending bill, the main item left on Congress' year-end agenda, appeared certain to pass and Obama has said he will sign it. It will provide funding for most of the federal establishment through the Sept., 30 end of the budget year, and eliminate any chance of a government shutdown until then.
The sole exception is the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded only until Feb. 27. Republicans intend to try then to force the president to roll back his immigration policy that removes the threat of deportation from millions of immigrants living in the United States illegally.
FULL story at link.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, as the Senate considers a spending bill. The House has passed an additional stopgap spending to make certain the government doesn't shut down at midnight Saturday when current funding authority runs out. The move would give the Senate additional time to process a $1.1 trillion government-wide spending bill. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141214/us-congress-rdp-cde160cf21.html
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