US Congress ends brief government shutdown

The US Congress ended a brief government shutdown by reaching a wide‑ranging deal that is expected to push budget deficits into the $US1 trillion‑a‑ year zone.

Federal funding for U.S government services expired at midnight local time when the Senate missed a voting deadline.

The 650‑page plan proposes an increase in spending on defence and domestic services of about $US300bn

The bill passed in the Senate and survived a rebellion of 67 conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives thanks to the support of some Democrats.

Those conservatives were mainly angry about non‑military spending increases.

U.S President Donald Trump signed the sweeping budget bill into law after it was approved by Congress, ending the government shutdown that lasted around five hours.

Source: Radio NZ