US Capitol pushed to brink of shutdown

The US government was on the brink of shutting down last night after the House of Representatives approved a Republican bill seeking to delay President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Congress now has less than 48 hours to strike a deal that keeps the government open, but the ping-ponging of legislation is making that unlikely. Obama has threatened to veto any bill seeking to halt his sweeping health overhaul.

The House measure funds the government at current levels until mid-December, but also includes a one-year delay of the president’s signature health reforms — dubbed Obamacare — and the repeal of a tax on medical devices. The bill needs Senate approval, where Democratic Majority leader Harry Reid said it will be rejected.