U.S. bill to avoid government shutdown clears hurdle in House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A $1.1 trillion government funding bill, necessary to keep federal agencies operating beyond midnight, cleared a procedural hurdle in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, paving the way for a final vote on the legislation later in the day. By a vote of 214-212, the House approved the rules for debating the bill. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Susan Heavey)