US House passes massive spending bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a massive $1 trillion dollar spending bill to fund the federal government until next October. The U.S. Senate is also expected to pass the spending legislation today, and Senate leaders from both major parties have assured Americans there will be no government shutdown, Voice of America news (VOA) reported . The House of Representatives passed a sweeping funding bill with solid bipartisan support - 296 lawmakers voted for it and 121 voted against it. The spending bill will fund key domestic government agencies and the war in Afghanistan. It imposes restrictions on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt, Pakistan and the Palestinian authority, but avoids deep cuts in foreign assistance that some Republicans had wanted, according to VOA. On Saturday, Senate leaders are also expected to vote on extending the payroll tax cuts for American workers. They reached an agreement on a measure late Friday. However, the extension is only for two months, creating yet more economic uncertainty among Americans.  President Barack Obama had pushed for a one-year payroll tax cut extension. The House of Representatives could take up the payroll tax issue Monday, said the source.