U.S. House leaders reach deal on Flint, could avert government shutdown

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to aid Flint, Michigan, resolve its water crisis, aides said on Wednesday, a deal that could clear the way for funding the federal government beyond Friday. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi reached the deal on Tuesday hours after a stopgap funding bill to avoid a federal government shutdown failed to garner enough votes to advance in the Senate. Only 45 senators in the Republican-controlled 100-seat Senate voted in favor of a procedural step needed for consideration of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies until Dec. 9.