US President Joe Biden addresses the nation on averting default and the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: JIM WATSON / AFP
A federal government shutdown has been narrowly avoided in the US, at President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open.
Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal which drops aid to Ukraine, but increases federal disaster assistance by US$16b, at President Biden's full request.
It's likely to be a week of procedural wrangling and voting on complex motions as lawmakers battle to keep government open.
Ron Elving is a Senior Editor and Correspondent at NPR news' Washington Desk.
