House passes bill to avert government shutdown

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WASHINGTON — The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved a stopgap spending bill to avert a looming government shutdown and keep key agencies open to October 4, sending it to President Barack Obama.

The Senate had passed the legislation, known as a “continuing resolution” or “CR” late Monday, as well as another measure to keep cash-strapped Washington going through November 18.

A fierce feud over a Republican push to offset disaster relief in Hurricane Irene’s wake with spending cuts targeting clean-energy programs had threatened a possible shutdown when the 2011 fiscal year ends at midnight Friday.

The House, which approved the short stopgap in a special voice vote, will take up the longer measure next week.