US Congress Nears Budget Deal to Avert Possible Shutdown

Leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives say they have reached agreement on funding the federal government that will avert a possible shutdown of most government operations.
Early Friday afternoon, the House voted 296 to 121 in favor of a bill to fund the government until October 2012.
Republican House Speaker John Boehner said Friday morning that the bill was put together in collaboration with lawmakers from both major parties.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, leader of the minority Democrats in the House, accused Republicans of political posturing and delaying tactics that caused the last-minute negotiations on such important legislation.
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