Senate Approves $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill

The Associated Press reported that the US Senate approved a $1.1 Trillion spending bill by a vote fo 60 to 34.  The bill provides monies to both Medicare and Medicaid along with other government programs.

The legislation also:

• Includes an improved binding arbitration process to challenge the decision by General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC to close more than 2,000 dealerships.
• Renews a federal loan guarantee program for steel companies.
• Permits detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to be transferred to the U.S. for trial, but not to be released.
• Calls for federal worker pay increases averaging 2 percent.

Click here to read the complete article:   Senate to vote on $1.1 trillion spending bill  By ANDREW TAYLOR (AP)