House passes bill to continue government funding
The funding bill would provide money for civilian agencies through April 15 and the Defense Department through Sept. 30.
The House today passed a bill that would provide a temporary money for agencies and temporarily forestall a government shutdown, but the Senate and White House are unlikely to approve it.
The House passed continuing appropriations legislation that would fund the civilian side of government through April 15 and the Defense Department through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal 2011.
The bill passed 247 to 181.
However, the bill faces some hurdles. President Barack Obama has said he will veto the measure if it comes to his desk. But it's not likely to even get that far -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said in a statement today the bill the House passed is not about a budget but a social agenda.
Funding under the current spending legislation expires April 8. In the absence of a funding agreement by midnight on that date, the government will shut down.