US Senate approves bipartisan bill to lift debt ceiling

US Senate Wednesday night approved the bipartisan deal which would lift the debt ceiling and end the partial shutdown of the federal government, bringing the bill closer to a final congressional passage. With a 81-18 vote, the Democratic-led Senate backed the measure, sending it to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives where a vote is likely later Wednesday night. The bill would fund the government through Jan. 15 and raise the debt limit until Feb. 7. The deal emerged earlier Wednesday as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on the Senate floor the bipartisan compromise.