Senate sends government-funding measure to House
The Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution designed to continue funding the government at current levels until March 4, pushing the battle over spending cuts into the new Congress.
On a 79-16 vote, the Senate approved the continuing resolution. The measure now goes to the House, which is scheduled to consider the measure later Tuesday.
If it passes there, as expected, it will be sent to President Obama for his signature.
If the House fails to act, the federal government would run out of money at midnight.
The Senate action had been expected.
Earlier, the Senate approved a cloture motion on an 82-14 vote, a procedural move that brought the continuing resolution to the floor. Sixty votes were needed to pass the cloture motion, but a simple majority was needed for the Senate’s final passage.
The continuing resolution was needed after Democrats were forced to pull a $1.2-trillion omnibus spending bill last week after conservatives objected to more than $8 billion in earmarks, or special spending sought by lawmakers of both parties. Both chambers then passed temporary continuing resolutions.
The latest continuing resolution generally keeps spending at 2010 levels, but adds some funds for veterans and education programs, including $5.7 billion for the Pell Grant program.
It also implements Obama’s recent proposal to freeze the salaries of federal civilian workers for two years.
Budget issues are expected to be major headaches next year when Republicans take control in the House and gain seats in the Senate. Republicans have pledged to seek spending cuts in the new Congress.
Mascaro reported from Washington and Muskal from Los Angeles
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