Fending off a Republican filibuster threat, the Senate passed an omnibus spending bill that includes “language that frees up Washington D.C. to use local money to implement a medical marijuana measure approved in a referendum by nearly 70 percent of voters in 1998, resurrecting an effort that has been stalled since Congress imposed a rider blocking money to actualize the measure. The House version of the spending bill passed last week included similar language, and President Obama is expected to sign the legislation this coming week,” according to Politico.

As the Senate debates a proposed Medicare buy-in for health care reform, President Obama says he expects legislation to be passed Christmas.

UPDATE: Oh yeah, forgot the House approved financial regulatory reform…