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Dems hope to pass stopgap spending bill

(L to R) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) wait for U.S. President Barack Obama to sign the Iran Sanctions Bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington on July 1, 2010. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn
(L to R) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) wait for U.S. President Barack Obama to sign the Iran Sanctions Bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington on July 1, 2010. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Congressional Democrats, facing tough re-election races back home, say they hope to push through a resolution that would keep the U.S. government running.

The continuing resolution, which would fund most existing programs at current spending levels through Dec. 3, would reduce overall funding by $9 billion, a draft summary released by Senate Democrats indicated. To avoid a government shutdown, lawmakers must pass the legislation before the new fiscal year begins Friday.

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Senate Democratic leaders said they hoped to finish its work on the continuing resolution Wednesday if Republicans agreed to waive procedural objections, The Hill reported. The Senate voted 84-14 on Tuesday to end debate, allowing the stopgap spending measure to proceed.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said his chamber could bring up a vote on the resolution within hours of Senate passage.

The Obama administration has asked lawmakers to include $20 billion for Pell Grants, the Postal Service and implementation of the healthcare and financial regulation reform bills, which have run into opposition from Republicans who say they want a resolution sans additions.

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