WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - A temporary measure that would keep the U.S. government running through Dec. 18 cleared Congress on Thursday, giving lawmakers more time to work on spending bills for the current fiscal year.
The Senate voted 72 to 28 to approve the bill and send it to President Barack Obama to sign into law, after the House of Representatives approved it earlier in the day.
The bill prevents a government shutdown when current funding runs out on Nov. 1, and also extends the current limit for U.S.-backed mortgages of $729,750 for single-family homes through the end of 2010. Keywords: USA CONGRESS/SPENDING SENATE (andy.sullivan@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202 898 8391) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The Senate voted 72 to 28 to approve the bill and send it to President Barack Obama to sign into law, after the House of Representatives approved it earlier in the day.
The bill prevents a government shutdown when current funding runs out on Nov. 1, and also extends the current limit for U.S.-backed mortgages of $729,750 for single-family homes through the end of 2010. Keywords: USA CONGRESS/SPENDING SENATE (andy.sullivan@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202 898 8391) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.