Congress averts shutdown by approving spending bill

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

A weekend government shutdown that neither party wanted was averted when Congress approved a compromise spending bill Thursday, as leaders overcame major defections by Republicans angry over what they considered excessive spending.

To the dismay of liberals, the measure also blocks Obama administration plans to impose stricter nutrition standards on school lunches.

The Senate sent the measure to President Barack Obama for his signature on a 70-30 vote, shortly after the House consented to the bill 298-121.

Though passage was by comfortable margins, the vote in both chambers highlighted GOP fissures over federal spending. House Republicans backed the legislation by just 133-101, and GOP senators voted heavily against the bipartisan bill, 30-17.

“It’s a good bill. It’s not perfect, but it’s a lot better than the alternative,” said Rep. Norm Dicks of Washington, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.