Senate Democrats unveil government funding bill

WASHINGTON (AP) - Top Senate Democrats and Republicans have released a catchall government funding bill that denies President Barack Obama new money for implementing signature first-term accomplishments like new regulations on Wall Street and his expansion of government health care subsidies. But it provides modest additional funding for domestic priorities like health research and highway projects.

Monday's measure is the product of bipartisan negotiations and is the legislative vehicle to fund the day-to-day operations of government through Sept. 30 -- and prevent a government shutdown when current funding runs out March 27.

It sets a path for government in the wake of across-the-board spending cuts that took effect March 1.

Passage in the Senate this week seems routine and could presage an end to a mostly overlooked battle over the annual spending bills required to fund federal agency operations.