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Congress Approves $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill

CBN

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Congress has passed a $1.1 trillion bipartisan spending bill that eases the harshest effects of last year's automatic budget cuts.

The Senate voted 72-26 Thursday for the measure, which cleared the House a little more than 24 hours earlier.

The bill increases spending by about $26 billion, mostly for domestic programs. It also pays for the implementation of President Barack Obama's new health care law.

Democrats and Republicans said the measure is a compromise to prevent an election year government shutdown.
    
But not everyone is happy.
    
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said lawmakers ignored an opportunity to eliminate wasteful programs.

"What we're actually doing is digging the hole deeper," he said.

The president is expected to sign the bill in time to prevent any interruption in government funding Saturday at midnight.

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