US president signs bill preventing government shutdown

November 17, 2023

- 'It’s an important step but we have more to do,' says Joe Biden, urging congressional Republicans to 'stop wasting time on extreme bills and honor our bipartisan budget agreement'

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden late Thursday signed a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown, but only for about two months.

"Last night I signed a bill preventing a government shutdown. It’s an important step but we have more to do," Biden on Friday said on X, after signing it on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.

"I urge Congress to address our national security and domestic needs — and House Republicans to stop wasting time on extreme bills and honor our bipartisan budget agreement,” he added.

In a two-step plan, the bill extends funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Energy and Veterans Affairs until Jan. 19. The remaining agencies would be funded until Feb. 2.

The spending bill, which managed to pass the House of Representatives only after the majority of Republicans sought out Democratic Party support, does not include additional aid for Israel or Ukraine.