The House approved two spending packages allocating $1.4 trillion for the federal budget, designating priorities like raising the tobacco purchase age to 21. The measures were designed to have enough goodies for both parties to ensure their passage and secure President Trump’s signature. The Senate is expected to vote before a deadline on Friday, when funding will run out. Separately, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a $738 billion defense bill, sending Mr. Trump one of the most expensive military measures in the nation’s history. He is expected to sign it this week.

Source: New York Times December 17, 2019 23:36 UTC