U.S. House passes budget plan

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a two-year, bipartisan budget plan that authorizes $633 billion in defense spending for the next year – and aims to end the partisan fighting over fiscal affairs that led to last October's 16-day partial government shutdown, according to Al Jazeera.

The 350-69 vote puts pressure on the Senate to act before it adjourns next week. The Democratic-controlled Senate must approve the budget deal before it is sent to President Barack Obama.

Jay Carney, Obama's press secretary, hailed the vote, saying it "shows Washington can and should stop governing by crisis and both sides can work together to get things done."

Read more from Al Jazeera.