The U.S. Senate has scheduled a vote on Friday to pass an emergency spending bill, shortening its debate in an attempt to work out a deal with the House of Representatives before a Monday night deadline when all government funds will be exhausted.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced the faster timetable. The Senate had been on a schedule for passing the six-week funding bill sometime this weekend.
Earlier in the day, Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee blocked efforts to pass the measure on Thursday.