2nd LD Writethru: U.S. Senate passes stopgap bill to extend gov't funding until March

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a short-term spending bill that would extend government funding until March, as funding for some federal agencies and programs is set to expire on Saturday.

The upper chamber voted 77-18 to approve the bill, paving the way for action of the House of Representatives later Thursday.