Spending Bill Averts Shutdown, for Now

The House has passed a bill to cut federal spending by $4 billion and avert a partial shutdown of the government—for two weeks. The measure passed by a bipartisan 335-91 vote that came shortly after Democrats in the Senate said they would go along. The White House had sought a four-week or longer stopgap bill, but that effort fizzled almost immediately.

The measure approved by the House will buy time for difficult talks on a longer-term measure. House Republicans last month passed a bill that would cut $61 billion from agencies over the second half of the budget year expiring Sept. 30. That bill is strongly opposed by Democrats, and the White House promises a veto. The $4 billion in today's cuts are some of the easiest for Congress to make. (More Congress stories.)