The House passed a bill Tuesday that would both prevent a government shutdown and suspend the debt limit in a step toward preventing possible economic calamity. The Democratic-held chamber approved it in a 220-212 party-line vote. However, Senate Republicans have threatened to spike the bill, which could leave Democrats scrambling to find another way to avoid a federal funding lapse — or even a first-ever default on U.S. debt. Worries about a looming default and the economic damage it would cause contributed to a U.S. stock market drubbing on Monday. Congress has to pass a funding plan by Sept. 30 to prevent a ... (full story)