US Congress ends brief govt shutdown
The US Congress ended a brief government shutdown yesterday by reaching a wide-ranging deal that is expected to push budget deficits into the $1 trillion-a-year zone.
The bill passed by a wide margin in the Senate and survived a rebellion of 67 conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives thanks to the support of some Democrats. Those conservatives were mainly angry about non-military spending increases.
President Donald Trump signed the measure into law yesterday morning, ending a government shutdown that began just after midnight, when Congress was still debating the budget deal.
It was the second shutdown this year under the Republican-controlled Congress and Trump, who played little role in attempts by party leaders this week to end months of fiscal squabbling.
The deal is the fifth temporary government funding measure for the fiscal year that began October 1 and replenishes federal coffers until March 23, giving lawmakers more time to write a full-year budget.
It also extends the US government's borrowing authority until March 2019, sparing Washington politicians difficult votes on debt and deficits until after mid-term congressional elections in November.
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