Govt averts shutdown as bill signed

Package drops aid to Ukraine, while increases disaster assistance by $16b

WASHINGTON — The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late on Saturday, as US President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal.

The package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Biden's full request. The bill funds government until Nov 17.

After chaotic days of turmoil in the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly abandoned demands for steep spending cuts from his right flank and instead relied on Democrats to pass the bill, at risk to his own job. The Senate followed with final passage, closing a whirlwind day at the Capitol.