Senate passes stopgap funding bill, averts shutdown

The Senate voted 91-9 Wednesday to pass a continuing resolution extending federal government funding for two more weeks, averting a government shutdown and handing House Republicans an early win in what looks likely to be long series of budget battles with Democrats.

President Obama is expected to sign it quickly, before the March 4 expiration of the current CR.

The bill cuts spending by $4 billion by targeting earmarks and accelerating some program cuts Obama proposed for fiscal 2012.

House Republicans and Senate Democrats remain far apart on a long-term CR, and Senate aides said another two-week extension is likely before a deal on a longer bill.