House Votes To End Federal Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Furloughed federal workers got another day off work in Washington after a blizzard dumped more than 16 inches of snow on the city. Monday was supposed to be the first day back on the job for federal employees after President Clinton agreed on Saturday to legislation that temporarily ends the three-week-old, partial government shutdown. The President acceded to Republican demands to offer his own plan to balance the budget in seven years using Congressional Budget Office estimates. White House and GOP leaders were scheduled to meet throughout the week to try to work out a final budget agreement before the stopgap agreement expires January 26. If no agreement is reached, some government offices could close for a third time. The Clinton plan cuts of about 60 billion less over seven years than the GOP budget. Medicare and Medicaid cuts remain the chief sticking point. Although negotiations have been slowed by the continuing snow story, White House correspondent James Carney says the President will try to resolve the budget as quickly as possible. "Clinton remains convinced he needs a balanced budget agreement to diffuse the issue before the upcoming election," he says. "The real question now is whether the House GOP can stay unified."