Senate to take up $1.1T bill to keep US govt open

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led Senate was expected to approve a massive spending bill that would prevent a U.S. government shutdown, despite strong objections from liberals to provisions rolling back bank regulations imposed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

The fight over the $1.1 trillion spending bill reflected the Republicans' newly gained leverage after their sweeping victories in last month's midterm elections.

The measure was on track for final passage by early next week. To give the Senate time to complete action, Obama signed a 48-hour law to keep the government funded through Saturday and prevent a shutdown that both parties have pledged to avoid. A second stop-gap bill was also in the wings, to make sure the government had funding through Wednesday.

Many Democrats, including President Barack Obama, recognized that if the current bill fails, Republicans would pass an even more objectionable one when they take full control of Congress next month.

This has led to an unusual alliance between Obama and Republican leaders, who narrowly pushed the bill through the House of Representatives on Thursday by a vote of 219-206, over the objections of the Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi — normally a close Obama ally.

Obama praised the bill, calling it a classic compromise produced by divided government.

"This legislation allows us to build on the economic progress and the national security progress that's important," Obama said. Still, he said, "Had I been able to draft my own legislation and get it passed without any Republican votes I suspect it'd be slightly different."

House Republican leaders needed some Democratic votes to overcome the objections of their most conservative members, who wanted to use the bill to block Obama's plan to deport fewer immigrants.

Similar splits are expected in the Senate.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the chamber's most prominent liberals, strongly opposes the provision loosening rules on banks.

Sen. Ted Cruz, a champion of the ultra-conservative tea party movement, is incensed that the bill doesn't stop Obama's immigration plan.

But the expectations are that the Senate's more centrist leaders, Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, will forge an alliance to push the bill through.

The measure would fund nearly every Cabinet agency through September 2015, awarding increases for health research, securities regulation and foreign aid.