House finishes first stage of debate on FY 2012 budget bill

The House adjourned at 10:15 Thursday night after concluding four hours of debate on the fiscal 2012 budget resolution, and will return at 9 a.m. to finish work on a handful of substitute amendments.

Before adjourning, the House debated a substitute amendment from Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus that Cleaver said would avoid cuts to education, health, technology and other programs that the House GOP budget resolution would make.

Cleaver asked for a recorded vote on his amendment, which will occur on Friday.

The Senate, having passed the 2011 spending bill after the House passed it, adjourned and returns in two weeks.