WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Friday signed a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown and keep the federal government running through Dec. 22.
The president signed the two-week spending measure in private at the White House after the House and Senate acted to prevent a government shutdown this weekend. The funding reprieve comes as the White House and congressional leaders are negotiating a longer-term agreement, building off a Thursday meeting involving Trump and congressional leaders.
The White House and lawmakers said the bill will give them more time to negotiate several end-of-the-year agenda items, including the budget, a children’s health program and hurricane aid. Administration and congressional aides were continuing the talks on Friday.
“We hope that we’re going to make some great progress for our country. I think that will happen,” Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office. Added Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York: “Funding the government is extremely important, helping our soldiers is very important and helping average citizens is very important. So we’re here in the spirit of: Let’s get it done.”
