Trump signs bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

US President Donald Trump signed a funding bill into law on Wednesday, averting a government shutdown before the midterm elections. The House of Representatives passed the extension of current spending through December 11 by a vote of 370-48 on Tuesday, following the Senate's approval on August 8. This temporary measure ensures federal agencies remain operational beyond October 1, as Congress has not yet finalized the 12 full-year spending bills for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. Neither party desired a shutdown ahead of re-election campaigns, given voter concerns over high prices and the US-Israeli war on Iran. The stopgap bill postpones decisions on spending priorities, setting up a potentially difficult task for Congress in December, with the outcome of the November 3 elections influencing future negotiations.