The White House is applauding a bipartisan House vote to approve a two-year budget agreement.

U.S. Capitol
T.J. Kirkpatrick, Getty Images
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The legislation cleared on a vote of 332-94, with sizable majorities of Republicans and Democrats alike voting in favor. Final passage is expected next week in the Senate.

The agreement averts another government shutdown and eases some of the automatic spending cuts.

White House press secretary Jay Carney says the vote "shows Washington can and should stop governing by crisis and both sides can work together to get things done."

Final passage is expected next week in the Senate despite reservations on both sides. Some conservatives don't like spending increases. Democrats are unhappy that the measure lacks an extension of unemployment benefits due to expire three days after Christmas.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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