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US Lawmakers Agree on Spending Bill, Avoiding Shutdown
Retreating from their harsh partisan sniping, and perhaps fearing public rebuke, Congressional leaders have agreed on a large-scale spending measure to keep the government running for the next nine months.
December 16, 2011
(NEW YORK TIMES) New York - Lawmakers began to strike a conciliatory tone as they came together on an 11th-hour deal to keep the government from shutting down after Friday, with weekend work probably required to finish their business.
"We're making some progress," said Representative Harold Rogers, the Kentucky Republican who leads the House Appropriations Committee. "I'm feeling optimistic. Things are looking up, and I'm looking up," he said, opening his hands while looking skyward.
The spending bill appeared to modify some policy measures that had drawn sharp criticism from the White House, including eliminating one that reinstated tough restrictions on travel to Cuba.
