2012 appropriations bill goes to White House

Once again, Congress has reached a budget deal just barely in time to prevent a partial federal shutdown.

The Senate passed the $915 billion appropriations bill Dec. 17.

The fiscal 2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act passed 67-32.

The House passed it Dec. 16 296-121. The legislation contains fiscal 2012 funding for federal agencies.

The funding bill now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Obama is expected to sign it into law.

Lawmakers again reached a deal just before a potential government shutdown. The much of the government would have run out of funding at midnight Dec. 16. However, earlier that day, Senate leaders said that if the bill passed the House, the shutdown would have been averted.

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