Trump signs bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill on Wednesday to avert a government shutdown before the midterm elections after the legislation was passed by the House of Representatives a day earlier and the Senate in August.

The White House said he signed the bill into law.

By a vote of 370-48, the House passed the extension of current spending through December 11 on Tuesday. The Senate passed the measure on August 8.

The bill will keep federal agencies operating beyond October 1, when existing funds are due to expire with the start of the new fiscal year.

The temporary measure was needed because Congress so far has failed to finish work on any of the 12 spending bills that fund government programs for the full fiscal year that runs through September 30, 2027. Those programs range from homeland security and federal law enforcement to energy, housing and defense.