US Congressional Leaders Reach Accord on 2015 Spending Plan | WPN World People News

Democratic and Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress have reached a deal on a $1.1 trillion spending bill that would fund the federal government through next year.

The spending package was finalized late Tuesday, just two days before the government's current spending authority expires. It would fund all government agencies through next September except for the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded until February 27.

Congressional Republicans, who will take over complete control of Congress next month, are expected to use the limited funding as leverage to limit President Barack Obama's recent executive order that shields as many five million undocumented immigrants from deportation.

The compromise spending bill adds over $5 billion in funds to fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, but cuts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and eases some rules included in the 2010 law that regulated the U.S. financial sector.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is expected to vote on the plan Thursday, but it may be a few days before the Democratic-led Senate will take up the bill. House lawmakers are prepared to pass a short-term funding measure to keep the government running until that time.

Source: Voice of America