House passes two-week stopgap spending bill

story by NBC
written by Carrie Dann

In a step to avert a government shutdown before the current funding measure expires later this week, the House has passed a two-week spending bill would cut federal spending by $4 billion.

The vote was 335-91, with six Republicans opposing the GOP-authored measure. On the other side of the aisle, 104 Democrats voted for it, while 85 voted against the bill.

The Republican-backed stopgap bill was considered palatable by many Democrats because it drew on suggestions made by President Barack Obama in his budget for this year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that the Senate will approve the bill within the next two days, giving lawmakers an additional two weeks to negotiate a longer-term measure to fund the government.

Some GOP House members opposed the bill because it did not include more controversial measures to defund Planned Parenthood and the implementation of the Obama-backed health care plan.

Conservative Rep. Steve King of Iowa tweeted shortly before the vote, “I will vote "NO" on 2week CR bc some of ObamaCare is funded by it & Pence amendment to block Planned Parenthood is not in.”

*** UPDATE *** Per NBC's Shawna Thomas, the six Republicans who voted against the spending bill were: Reps. Steve King of Iowa, Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Ron Paul of Texas, Walter Jones of North Carolina, Louie Gohmert of Texas, and Justin Amash of Michigan.