US House of Representatives Approves $1.1 Trillion Bill Financing Govt Thursday Dec 11,2014

 

Republicans have muscled a $1.1 trillion bill financing government agencies through the House after President Barack Obama phoned Democratic lawmakers and urged them to back the measure.

 

The House approved the measure late Thursday by 219-206, hours before a midnight deadline, avoiding a government shutdown. The House voted 219-206 to approve the measure with 57 Democrats joining 162 Republicans to pass the package.

The compromise bill keeps agencies funded through next September.

After the measures passed the Republican's House leader John Boehner said with relief: 'Thank you and Merry Christmas'.  

Many conservatives opposed it because it did not block Obama's recent executive actions on immigration. 

A large majority of House Democrats opposed it because of provisions easing some restrictions on banks and allowing higher political contributions by big donors.

Obama backed the bill and called wavering Democratic lawmakers to persuade them to help it pass.

The House and Senate approved a 48-hour continuing resolution to keep the government open so the Senate has time to pass the measure without shutting down the government

The bill must now be approved by the Democratic-run Senate.