US Congress passes security funding, averting crisis

WASHINGTON: Congress finally gave the Department of Homeland Security its due, funding the crucial US agency after months of political wrangling that threatened to plunge it into shutdown.

With the House voting 257 to 167 to approve finances for DHS through the end of the fiscal year September 30, the $39.7 billion bill -- passed last week by the Senate without controversial immigration riders attached -- headed to President Barack Obama for his signature.