Washington (AP) -- The House Tuesday passed a measure blending $6 billion in budget cuts with enough money to keep the government running for an additional three weeks.
The measure would buy additional time for talks between Capitol Hill Republicans and the Obama administration on a bill to fund the day-to-day operations of the government through the end of September. Those negotiations haven't gotten far and House GOP leaders haven't shown much flexibility.
The measure passed by a 271-158 vote despite opposition from some Tea Party-backed conservatives who said it "kicks the can down the road" instead of imposing steep and immediate spending cuts.
The $6 billion cut by the measure includes many items that the Obama administration and Democrats agree can be axed.
Fifty-four Republicans opposed the bill, which meant that Democratic support was required to pass it -- a prospect that GOP leaders must avoid to keep control of debate as it moves forward.
"It's a small down payment on our commitment to the American people that we'd have real fiscal responsibility," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.
The measure moves to the Senate, which is likely to clear it later this week.
