Trump signs funding bill to avert government shutdown before November elections

President Donald Trump signed a funding bill on Wednesday to avert a government shutdown before the November midterm elections, after Congress approved a temporary extension of federal spending.

The White House said Trump signed the bill into law, keeping government agencies funded through December 11.

Also Read: US House passes stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown before midterms

The House of Representatives passed the measure 370-48 on Tuesday, while the Senate approved it on August 8. The legislation extends current spending beyond October 1, when existing funding is set to expire with the start of the new fiscal year.

Congress has yet to complete any of the 12 annual spending bills needed to finance federal programmes for the full fiscal year through September 30, 2027. The measures cover a wide range of government operations, including homeland security, federal law enforcement, energy, housing and defence.

Live Events

The latest stopgap measure gives lawmakers another 15 weeks to resolve their differences, but does little to address the broader fiscal challenges facing Washington.

Since Trump began his second term, Congress has been consumed by contentious battles between Republicans, who control both chambers, and Democratic lawmakers. The disputes have contributed to three partial government shutdowns totalling 161 days, as the parties clashed over issues including health insurance subsidies and restrictions on federal immigration enforcement.

Neither party wanted another shutdown looming ahead of the midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake.

Also Read: US Senate approves funding bill to avoid a shutdown before the election

A shutdown could further anger voters already frustrated by high prices, rising oil and gas costs linked to the months-long US-Israeli war on Iran, and tariffs on foreign goods that have particularly affected farmers.

The temporary funding bill, however, leaves the country's major fiscal problems unresolved. The national debt crossed the $40 trillion mark last month, while Washington has continued to struggle to address affordability, a top concern for voters.

The delay also sets up another potentially difficult spending battle in December, when lawmakers will have to negotiate and pass all 12 full-year appropriations bills.

The outcome of the November 3 congressional elections could prove critical to those negotiations. With control of Congress at stake, the election will help determine whether Republicans or Democrats have the upper hand when lawmakers return to the spending table.