Senate clears $1.1 trillion spending bill

The measure, which already passed the House and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama, will fund the government until Oct. 1. It provides targeted increases for various programs, including biomedical research.

The Washington Post: Senate Sends Obama A Bill To Fund The Government Until October
Congress gave final approval Thursday to a $1.1 trillion spending bill that eases sharp budget cuts known as the sequester and guarantees that the nation will not endure another government shutdown until at least Oct. 1. … The Senate voted 72 to 26 to approve the measure Thursday evening after Republicans persuaded Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) to drop a last-minute push to force another showdown over the Affordable Care Act, reprising the fight that closed the government for 16 days last fall. The House overwhelmingly passed the spending bill earlier this week. President Obama is expected to sign it by Saturday to prevent agency offices, museums and national parks from locking their gates when the current temporary funding measures expires (Montgomery, 1/16).

The Wall Street Journal: Senate Passes $1.012 Trillion Spending Bill On A 72-26 Vote
It provides targeted increases for biomedical research, pre-school education and infrastructure programs that are top Democratic priorities. But overall it provided far less than President Barack Obama requested and kept spending lower than levels that prevailed in 2009, when he took office (Hook, 1/16).