WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled House is on course to pass legislation cutting federal spending by $4 billion and averting a government shutdown for two weeks. And Senate Democrats say they will go along.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters that he expects the bill to go to President Barack Obama for his signature in the next 48 hours.
The House is acting first, with a vote expected this afternoon.
Passage of the measure will set a two-week time frame for negotiations on a bill to keep the government running through the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.
The White House and leaders of both parties in both houses will be involved in the talks.