The Democratic-led Senate is ready to approve legislation averting a government shutdown Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (C) (R-TX) speaks during a prayer vigile organized by the Christian Defense Coalition outside the White House
Sen. Ted Cruz (C) (R-TX) speaks during a prayer vigile organized by the Christian Defense Coalition outside the White House (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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But House Republican leaders are unwilling to accept the bill, ensuring that the nasty congressional squabble will spill into the weekend and possibly right up to the deadline — and maybe beyond.

The Senate scheduled votes today on the measure. Senators are expected to approve it after defeating a conservative effort to derail the bill and removing House-passed language stripping money from President Barack Obama's health care law.

The battle has already produced plenty of drama, and not only between Democrats and Republicans.

After two conservative GOP senators blocked the Senate from completing its bill Thursday, Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee said they were delaying that vote so their followers could watch Friday's debate on TV.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

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