US budget crisis over - for now

The threat of a complete government shutdown next week was finally lifted when the U.S. Senate passed a $1.1 trillion spending bill.

All that's needed now is for President Barack Obama to sign it into law before an extension of federal spending authority expires on Wednesday.

Most government agencies will now get funding until September next year.

It's taken weeks to get the budget through the Senate and the House of Representatives.

There's been bitter haggling behind closed doors over controversial policy changes and disputes over issues like financial regulation and immigration.

The battles are expected to resume next year.