US House approves tax measure as spending bill looms

The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a massive tax bill that makes permanent and enhances tax credits to aid business research and development, the working poor, children and other temporary tax breaks as lawmakers moved to avoid a government shutdown. The measure, passed by a vote of 318-109 in the Republican-led House with some support from Democrats, is expected to increase US deficits by $622 billion over 10 years.
Another $58 billion in tax breaks are part of a $1.1 trillion spending bill that funds federal government agencies through September 30, 2016, and lifts a four-decade-old ban on US crude oil exports.