Politics

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The House took a major step toward averting a federal government shutdown Tuesday by passing a bill that would extend government funding until March 18, giving Congress two weeks to hammer out a compromise on a longer-term funding solution.

Thousands rally outside Wisonsin's capitol building protesting the proposed budget repair bill. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker plans to give a budget address detailing his priorities for the next fiscal year at 5 p.m.