US Congress releases $1.2 trillion spending package to avert shutdown

After days of delay, U.S. congressional leaders unveiled a $1.2 trillion bipartisan spending measure for defense, homeland security and other programs early on Thursday, giving lawmakers less than two days to avert a partial government shutdown.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives will vote on the sprawling package on Friday, leaving the Democratic-majority Senate only hours to pass the package of six bills that covers about two-thirds of the $1.66 trillion in discretionary government spending for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1.

"These final six bills represent a bipartisan and bicameral compromise," the two top Senate negotiators - Patty Murray, a Democrat, and Susan Collins, a Republican - said in a statement.

"They will invest in the American people, build a stronger economy, help keep our communities safe, and strengthen our national security and global leadership."

The Congressional Budget Office warned that U.S. deficits and debt will grow considerably over the next 30 years, forecasting that the nation's $34.5 trillion national debt, which currently represents about 99% of GDP, could grow and rise to 166% of GDP by 2054.

Democratic