House approves rule for FY 2011 spending bill

The House approved a rule shortly after 1 p.m. allowing consideration of H.Con.Res. 34, the Republicans' FY 2012 budget resolution. The rule calls for four hours of debate and allows up to 30 minutes of debate on six substitute measures. Much of this debate and voting will occur late Thursday and Friday.

The rule was approved in a 243-181 vote. Five Democrats voted in favor of the rule, and no Republicans voted against it.

With adoption of the rule, the House turned to H.R. 1473, the FY 2011 spending agreement that was reached by Congress and the White House last Friday. The House will debate and vote on that bill and two related healthcare measures, then send the package to the Senate later in the day.