ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />By a vote of 285 to 144 the U.S. House of Representatives, late on Wednesday, passed legislation to avoid a damaging default on government debt and to provide funding to reopen government agencies.<br/> <br />The House vote came hours after the Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill.<br/> <br />President Barack Obama vowed to sign the bill as soon as it arrives on his desk. He said government would begin to reopen "immediately."
