The U.S. Congress has yet to complete its budget work for the new fiscal year, which begins next Monday. The U.S. House of Representatives has approved (396-0) a spending measure to keep the government operating through mid-October while lawmakers complete the budget process.
The temporary spending measure aims to keep federal agencies running through October 16, giving Congress more time to complete the 13 appropriations bills needed to keep the government operating.
The Senate is expected to pass the measure, and President Bush is expected to sign it.
Lawmakers and the President eager to portray a united front after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have sought to put aside the partisan rancor that has marked previous budget debates.