<p>WASHINGTON – The House voted Friday to relieve companies from paying an extra $80 billion into their pension plans, a step supporters said would stave off a financial crunch for businesses while protecting workers' retirements.</p>
<p>House Republicans said they hoped the decisive 336-69 vote gives the bill enough momentum to pass the Senate next week. Companies want Congress to finish before April 15, when the next quarterly pension payments are due.</p>