41.   That is expected to be the first of several stopgap measures to avoid a federal shutdown while budget talks continue.

42.   That would avert for now the possibility of a federal shutdown, which neither party -- especially the Republicans -- wants at this point.

43.   The overwhelming passage underlined how, with the presidential and congressional elections just six weeks away, neither party wants a federal shutdown that it might be blamed for.

44.   The House approved the bill Tuesday, and Clinton is considered certain to sign it.

45.   U.S. District Judge Raymond Finch ruled that local law, which says all beaches must be open to the public, took precedence over the federal shutdown.

46.   Clinton said he would veto the new stopgap spending measure proposed by the Republicans to end the partial federal shutdown that began Tuesday.

47.   Tuesday the White House expressed willingness to accept another funding extension rather than go through a disruptive federal shutdown ahead of the year-end holidays.

48.   On Tuesday the White House had expressed willingness to accept another funding extension rather than go through a disruptive federal shutdown ahead of the year-end holidays.