Congress passes bill to prevent shutdown

WASHINGTON -- The threat of a federal government shutdown ended late Saturday, hours before a midnight deadline, as Congress approved a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open and sent the measure to President Joe Biden to sign. The rushed package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Biden's full request. The bill funds government until Nov. 17. After whirlwind days of turmoil in the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy suddenly abandoned demands...