Contested $1.75tn spending bill passes hurdle in US Congress

Legislation including billions for research voted through House of Representatives but faces challenge in Senate

Democrats and higher education groups have hailed the passage by the US House of Representatives of a $1.75 trillion spending package that includes billions of dollars for research, universities and students.

The Build Back Better Act was passed with a slim majority of just seven votes on 18 November, after protracted debate about the legislation within the Democratic party, which saw president Joe Biden significantly shrink his original $3tn plan. But its fate in the Senate is uncertain.