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U.S. House passes bill to avoid government shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan funding bill Tuesday (September 22) to keep the government running through December 11, narrowly avoiding a shutdown just before the presidential election.

The Democratic-led House had been urgently working with leaders across the aisle to strike a deal, with current government funding set to run out next week.

It appeared to be in danger Monday after Democrats left out key farm aid that President Donald Trump had promised last week during a political rally in Wisconsin, a key battleground state in his bid for re-election.

But Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Tuesday announcing that a deal had been reached with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Republicans, saying quote: "We have reached an agreement with Republicans on the CR to add nearly $8 billion in desperately needed nutrition assistance for hungry schoolchildren and families."

The bill gives lawmakers more time to work out spending through September of next year, including budgets for military operations, healthcare, national parks, space programs, and airport and border security.

The bill will now head to the Senate.