US House passes budget bill to end government shutdown

By Burhan Sansarlioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a budget bill to end a brief government shutdown.

The House voted 240-186 to pass the bipartisan spending legislation, which would extend the government funding through March 23 and boost disaster aid funding by around $90 billion.

Earlier, the Senate voted 71-28 to pass the legislation shortly before 2.00 a.m. (0700GMT).

The bill has been sent to the White House for final approval.

The brief shutdown follows a three-day shutdown last month, over many of the same spending and social issues.