WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed legislation to replenish almost-empty disaster aid funds and prevent a government shutdown next week.
But the vote early Friday sets up a battle with the Democratic-controlled Senate, whose leader promises to kill the measure because of Republican cuts to clean energy programs. The cuts include a program that helps automobile manufacturers retool factories to make fuel-efficient cars.
The twin developments seem to ensure that Congress will work into the weekend in hopes of refilling a disaster aid account that might run dry early next week.
On Wednesday, almost identical legislation failed in the House when tea party Republicans rebelled.
GOP leaders were able to reverse that outcome Thursday after a long day of lobbying conservatives who prefer larger spending cuts than made under the stopgap measure.
