House passes crucial US debt bill

The US House of Representatives voted 269-161 today to keep the government from defaulting on its debts.

The measure also sets a course for reducing the government deficit in the future.

The Senate, where support is stronger, is expected to take up the bill today, the deadline for Congress to act before the government loses its ability to pay all its bills.

The vote in the House came after Republican leaders spent the day urging recalcitrant conservatives to support the bill.

The bill would raise the debt ceiling by more than $2tn (€1.4) and cut government spending by a similar amount over the next decade.

A special congressional committee would be set up to consider entitlement and tax changes.