House Approves Spending Bill in Rare Moment of Accord
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday found a rare moment of accord in the white-knuckle budget fights that have paralyzed Washington this year as lawmakers voted to extend government funding through December.
By a vote of 298 to 121, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill that would allow the government to keep running when current funding expires on Saturday.
The Democratic-controlled Senate is expected to approve it as well.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Though roughly 100 Republicans voted against the bill, the debate lacked the drama of other spending battles this year that have shaken consumer confidence and led to a first-ever debt downgrade.
Congress's most basic task is to oversee the federal purse strings, yet lawmakers took the government to the brink of a shutdown in April and the edge of default in August. Another round of brinkmanship ensued in September over what is normally a routine vote to extend funding.
This time, lawmakers who oversee more than $1 trillion in discretionary spending were able to resolve their differences in an orderly manner.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}``It's like a breath of fresh air has blown through this chamber,'' said Republican Representative Steven LaTourette. ''This wasn't a my-way-or-the-highway negotiation.''