U.S. House passes bill to fund government through September
Source: Reuters
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September and avoid federal agency shutdowns on Saturday when existing money is depleted.
With the 309-118 vote in the Republican-controlled chamber, the legislation now goes to the Senate, which is expected to pass it before a midnight Friday deadline.
The Pentagon is a big winner in the legislation, with defense spending rising significantly.
While the bill cleared the House easily, dozens more Democrats voted for it than Republicans, many of whom oppose most spending measures.
Another battle over the barrier is expected when Congress tries to pass a spending bill for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. Trump already has begun focusing on that upcoming fight. In a tweet on Tuesday, he taunted lawmakers, saying, "Our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix mess!"
The legislation would add $12.5 billion this fiscal year for the Pentagon, with another $2.5 billion available after Trump gives details on his plans for defeating the Islamic State militant group. It ignores many of the spending cuts on domestic programs the White House had sought and adds $2 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $295 million for Puerto Rico's underfunded Medicaid healthcare for the poor and $407 million to fight fires in Western states.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-budget-idUSKBN17Z1YU
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