House Passes Stopgap Bill Despite GOP Defections

The House today passed a measure blending $6 billion in budget cuts with enough money to keep the government running for an additional three weeks. The measure would buy additional time for talks between Capitol Hill Republicans and the Obama administration on a bill to fund the day-to-day operations of the government through the end of September. Those negotiations haven't gotten very far yet.

It passed by a 271-158 vote despite opposition from Tea Party-backed conservatives who said it "kicks the can down the road" instead of imposing steep and immediate spending cuts. Fifty-four Republicans opposed it, up from the relative handful who opposed earlier measures. The bill now moves to the Senate, which is likely to clear it for Obama's desk later this week. Prospects for agreement on a longer-term agreement remain uncertain, however. (More stopgap stories.)