U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government funded through December 11, 2020, White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a tweet early on Thursday. 

The United States Senate passed the budget bill on Wednesday that avoids an imminent government shutdown and extends funding weeks beyond the November 3 presidential election, after Democrats reached a deal with the White House and Republicans.  

The bipartisan text easily cleared the Senate 84 votes to 10 a week after it passed the House of Representatives. Trump needed to sign the bill by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to avoid a partial government shutdown, as fiscal year 2021 technically begins on October 1.  

The short-term legislation would keep government federal agencies operating at current funding levels until December 11, easing pressure on Congress – and presidential candidates Trump and Democrat Joe Biden – to address the issue during a heated election.  

The measure adds nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in desperately needed nutrition assistance for children and families, and extends funding for community health centers to continue to address COVID-19 and health disparities.

(With input from AFP)