US Congress speedily backs new government funding before snowstorm approaches

The US Congress has passed legislation to fund the government through early March, avoiding a partial government shutdown on Saturday.

The House of Representatives passed the short-term funding measure about two hours after the Senate passed it, despite political tensions.

Democrats and Republicans had been far apart in their budget negotiations.

But the deadline and an incoming Washington DC snowstorm hastened speedy passage of the bill.

Once signed into law by President Joe Biden, the $1.66tn (£1.3tn) piece of legislation will punt the fight over government spending into early March....