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US Senate passes key bill to fund federal government US Senate passes key bill to fund federal government
(about 4 hours later)
The US Senate has passed a near-$1tn (£645bn) spending bill, averting an impending shutdown of federal government services. The US Senate has passed a spending bill worth nearly $1tn (£645bn), averting an impending shutdown of federal government services.
The bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, can now be signed into law by President Barack Obama.The bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, can now be signed into law by President Barack Obama.
The measure was passed 67-32 and follows Senate approval of a two-month extension to a payroll tax break.The measure was passed 67-32 and follows Senate approval of a two-month extension to a payroll tax break.
That bill also forces President Obama to make a decision on a controversial oil pipeline early next year.That bill also forces President Obama to make a decision on a controversial oil pipeline early next year.
It is expected to go before the Republican-dominated House for a vote on Monday.It is expected to go before the Republican-dominated House for a vote on Monday.
Passage of these two pieces of legislation would end a year of bitter partisan budget battles on Capitol Hill.Passage of these two pieces of legislation would end a year of bitter partisan budget battles on Capitol Hill.
The spending bill funds a wide range of government agencies for the rest of the fiscal year - until September 2012.The spending bill funds a wide range of government agencies for the rest of the fiscal year - until September 2012.
Without its passage, agencies including the Labour Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense, would have run out of funds.Without its passage, agencies including the Labour Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense, would have run out of funds.
The vote to continue the payroll tax break for about 160 million American workers also means millions of unemployed Americans will continue to receive emergency welfare benefits.The vote to continue the payroll tax break for about 160 million American workers also means millions of unemployed Americans will continue to receive emergency welfare benefits.
But in exchange, President Obama must make a decision in February on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada's oil sands to refineries in Texas.But in exchange, President Obama must make a decision in February on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada's oil sands to refineries in Texas.
Mr Obama had threatened to veto the project and wanted to delay a decision on it past the 2012 election.Mr Obama had threatened to veto the project and wanted to delay a decision on it past the 2012 election.
In remarks after the Senate vote, Mr Obama said he expected Congress to extend the payroll tax break for the rest of 2012 when it reconvened in January.In remarks after the Senate vote, Mr Obama said he expected Congress to extend the payroll tax break for the rest of 2012 when it reconvened in January.
Allowing it to lapse would be "inexcusable", he said.Allowing it to lapse would be "inexcusable", he said.