Congress approves biomedical bill as leaders eye adjournment

WASHINGTON (AP) — With an atypical burst of bipartisanship, the Senate shipped legislation to President Barack Obama on Wednesday lowering hurdles for government drug approvals as the 114th Congress bumped toward the end of a two-year run highlighted by upheaval and stalemate.

Referring to families that have endured losses to cancer, Alzheimer's and drug abuse, he added, Their heartbreak is real, and so we have a responsibility to respond with real solutions.

Before adjournment, which leaders targeted for later this week, lawmakers were also tackling bills financing government agencies into late April, mapping Pentagon programs and planning water projects.

"Congress should not have had to jeopardize patient safety to increase medical research funding," said Michael Carome, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.

The two parties gridlocked over easing trade barriers with Pacific Ocean nations and revamping criminal justice statutes, and in a prelude to next year's battles, Obama vetoed a repeal of his health care law.

Democrats were unhappy the bill provided just $7 million of the $35 million the Obama administration requested to beef up security in midtown Manhattan, home to President-elect Donald Trump.