Senate passes $600 billion spending bill

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate passed a $600 billion spending bill Saturday that funds the government into March while lifting the ban on offshore drilling for oil.

The Senate voted 78-12 to send the measure, which earlier cleared the House of Representatives 370-58, to President George W. Bush, The Hill reported.

The spending bill also provides subsidies for U.S. auto manufacturers and assistance for victims of hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, CNN reported. Bush is expected to approve the measure.

Drilling for oil in Atlantic and Pacific offshore waters has been banned for 26 years. That expires Oct. 1.

Republican legislators have been pushing hard to expand offshore drilling.

In addition to the $25 billion in loan guarantees for the car companies and almost as much for hurricane relief, the bill provides $2 billion for Pell grants and $5.2 billion for home heating assistance for people with low incomes.

Democratic leaders plan to vote on a separate bill that would extend unemployment benefits and provide money for food stamps.

Still pending in Congress was the bill to fix the massive financial mess in the U.S. financial markets. A price tag of about $700 billion has been attached to the critical legislation being hammered out by lawmakers.