U.S. House Republicans advance stopgap bill as shutdown still appears inevitable

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Republicans on Friday advanced a newly-crafted stopgap funding bill, which is unlikely to gain support from the Senate, as a federal government shutdown after Saturday midnight appears increasingly inevitable.

The lower chamber voted 218-210 to clear a key procedural hurdle for the measure amid opposition from Democrats and some hardline Republicans, and a final vote is expected Friday afternoon.