U.S. Senate passes stopgap spending bill

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate hurriedly  passed a stopgap spending bill last night to fund the federal  government for one week to avert a government shutdown at  midnight.

Racing against the clock and with no debate, the Senate  passed the bill by voice vote after congressional leaders  reached a deal with President Barack Obama on a funding bill  for the rest of the fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30.

The House of Representatives later yesterday was expected  to give final approval to the measure for Obama to sign into  law. The longer funding bill is seen passing Congress next  week.