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US Congress passes stopgap funding bill to avert government shutdown

As many as 85 senators backed the bill, while 11 voted against it

WASHINGTON, December 21. /TASS/. The US Senate has passed a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown.

As many as 85 senators backed the bill, while 11 voted against it. The House of Representatives passed the legislation earlier.

The bill extends government funding through March 14 and allocates over $100 bln for disaster relief. The document will now be submitted to US President Joe Biden for singing. According to the White House, Biden plans to sign the bill on Saturday.

The Congress was expected to pass the bill until midnight (5:00 a.m. GMT on Saturday) in order to avert a government shutdown. US lawmakers have so far been unable to approve a federal budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1.

Meanwhile, the White House said earlier that the Office of Management and Budget "has ceased shutdown preparations.".

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TASS has compiled the key facts behind the deadly attack

FACTBOX: Ukraine shells Kursk Region's Rylsk

All emergency response services are working at the site of the strike

Kremlin spokesman clarifies Putin’s statement about Oreshnik 'duel'

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West should consider Putin's words on Oreshnik missile duel — diplomat

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Russia achieves key objective in Syria — Putin

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