U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, today said he voted for a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open and avert a government shutdown.

The measure was approved 335-91, and is expected to be approved by the Senate and then sent to President Barack Obama for his signature within 48 hours.

The bill cuts $4 billion in spending and will keep the government open until March 18, LaTourette said. The House and Senate are working on a measure to fund the government for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends at the end of September.

“No one wants a government shutdown, and this gives everyone some breathing room to come up with a more permanent solution and finish bipartisan legislation to fund programs for the rest of this fiscal year,” LaTourette said.

-- John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

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