The House voted 329-91 Thursday to extend government funding for six months, ending March 27, Reuters reports.
According to David Lawder‘s report, the Senate is expected to vote on the continuing resolution, which would slightly raise spending from current levels.
President Barack Obama must sign the measure by Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year, to keep the government running at fiscal 2012 levels.
The House Rules Committee approved the measure Wednesday, along with a bill to nullify defense cuts under sequestration.
Lawder writes this is expected to be Congress’ last major piece of legislation before the November elections and the start of a lame-duck session, where lawmakers are set to discuss potential avenues for avoiding the sequester and whether to extend tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush’s administration.
Sequestration cuts totaling $109 billion for fiscal 2013 are scheduled to start Jan. 2 and the tax cuts expire Dec. 31.
