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Trump Signs Spending Bill that Averts Partial Government Shutdown


The Capitol is seen in Washington, Dec. 5, 2017, days before President Trump signed a stopgap measure gives lawmakers and the White House until Dec. 22 to work out a final spending bill that will keep the lights on.
The Capitol is seen in Washington, Dec. 5, 2017, days before President Trump signed a stopgap measure gives lawmakers and the White House until Dec. 22 to work out a final spending bill that will keep the lights on.

President Donald Trump signed an emergency spending bill Friday averting a partial U.S. government for at least two weeks.

The stopgap measure gives lawmakers and the White House until Dec. 22 to work out a final spending bill for the rest of the fiscal year.

Disagreements over an immigration program and military spending threaten to hold up passage of the longer-term funding plan.

Democrats have insisted that any funding measure includes congressional action allowing so-called "Dreamers" to continue to work and study in the United States. The group includes nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as young children.

Trump signed an executive order lifting federal protection for the Dreamers, meaning many now face deportation. He has given Congress until March to come up with a better plan.

President Donald Trump accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, meets with congressional leaders including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 7, 2017, in Washington.
President Donald Trump accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, meets with congressional leaders including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 7, 2017, in Washington.

Before the House and Senate voted in favor of the bill Thursday, Democratic leaders held what appeared to be a cordial White House meeting with Trump.

"Funding the government is extremely important, helping our soldiers is very important and helping average citizens is very important," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday. "So, we're here in the spirit of 'let's get it done.'"

House leader Nancy Pelosi outlined some of the issues she says have bipartisan support, including battling the opioid crisis, children's health insurance, and support for U.S. veterans.

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