The Treasury Department has already passed its statutory borrowing limit and is currently funding the government under extraordinary measures with a limited shelf life.

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Omnitel had already passed through its fragile launch and covered about 60% of Italy and around 80% of the population when Mr Colaninno took over in September 1996.

ECONOMIST: Telecom Italia

In fact, the Energy Committee, thanks to the work of its Chair, Senator Jeff Bingaman, has already passed key provisions of comprehensive legislation.

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In Utah, home of Overstock.com, which has accused a hedge fund and a research firm of colluding to drive down its stock to their own enrichment, lawmakers have already passed one such law.

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He called up the reserves but then failed to deploy them in sufficient numbers in battle until after the UN Security Council had already passed a ceasefire resolution that legitimated Hizbullah and ignored its state sponsors in Syria and Iran.

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Its change of heart comes on top of substantial reforms to the state pension system that have already been passed into law by the 2007 Pensions Act.

BBC: State pension benefits improved

It already has a budget to develop this business, such is its confidence that the necessary legislation will be passed.

ECONOMIST: Japanese finance