Impasse Ends With Promise To Protect Spending

By Robert C. Johnston

Washington

A political impasse that shut down most federal operations for four days ended last week with a new stopgap spending bill and a promise to protect education spending as the White House and congressional leaders negotiate a seven-year balanced-budget plan.

The so-called continuing resolution, which President Clinton signed Nov. 21, authorizes spending through Dec. 15 for agencies, including the Department of Education, whose fiscal 1996 appropriations...