Congressional leaders reach deal to avert shutdown
STORY: U.S. congressional leaders say they've struck a deal Wednesday to avert a partial government shutdown by the end of the week.
That would pave the way for votes on a stopgap bill to keep the lights on in the government through until mid-March.
The temporary measure will be "voted on by the House and Senate this week", that's according to a joint statement by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate and House leaders, and the leaders of the two chambers' appropriations panels.
They say they've agreed to advance six of 12 annual bills by March 8, and the rest on March 22 giving lawmakers time to examine and debate the full-year funding bills.
Republican Representative Kevin Hern told reporters the temporary funding bill would be put to a House vote on Thursday.
It would be the fourth such measure in the fiscal year that began last Oct. 1.
Lawmakers disagree on funding and aid to U.S. allies, with hardline Republicans wanting to see more spending cuts.
Both parties now have to convince their ranks to back the stopgap deal.
But if voting fails it would bring the federal government to the brink of partial shutdowns on Saturday.
