Congress approves Obama's $3.4 trillion spending blueprint

The Democratically controlled Congress easily approved a $3.4 trillion spending plan, setting the stage for President Obama to pursue the first major overhaul of the nation's healthcare system. Lawmakers also agreed to use a procedural tool known as reconciliation to advance the president's proposal to expand health coverage for the uninsured—a move that ensures Republicans would not be able to filibuster the legislation.