House To Vote On Short-Term Spending Bill

WASHINGTON — A limited number of House members are expected today to approve by unanimous consent a short-term spending bill that would prevent a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday.

That'll buy time until the entire House gets back next week from a one-week break. Then it can take up the longer term funding measure that's already been approved by the Senate. It keeps the government in business through November.

Approval of that longer term funding measure is expected, though it could draw some fire from conservatives who want less government spending. But any no votes from them are expected to be more than offset by support from Democrats.

Once funding through November 18 can be approved, lawmakers can have more time to hammer out an agreement on a budget for the remainder of fiscal 2012.