President Barack Obama has signed a stopgap spending bill into law, keeping the federal government open through early next year.
A statement issued Wednesday by Obama's press secretary says the move ensures government agencies will be able to operate through Friday, March 4.
Congress passed the bill Tuesday evening, calling a temporary truce until congressional Republicans and Obama rejoin the battle over the budget next year.
The law freezes agency budgets at current levels. That's still too high for Republicans set to take over the House.
They vow to cut many programs to levels in place when Obama took office. That will be difficult to achieve, even though Republicans will control the House and possess greater strength in the Senate.
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