US House passes $1.1trn spending bill

The US House of Representatives has approved a $1.1trn year-end spending bill that will keep the government funded until next September.

The measure, which was passed 316 to 113, brought the government a step closer to avoiding a shutdown when current funding expires on 23 December.

The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate later on Friday, at which point it will go to President Obama to be signed.

As well as funding the government, it will end the 40-year ban on US crude oil exports and postpone the ‘Cadillac’ tax on expensive healthcare plans for two years.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said: “Today, the House came together to ensure our government is open and working for the American people. This bipartisan compromise secures meaningful wins for Republicans and the American people, such as the repeal of the outdated, anti-growth ban on oil exports.

"The legislation strengthens our military and protects Americans from terrorist threats, while limiting the overreach of intrusive government bureaucracies like the IRS and the EPA.”