The US Congress needed to pass a stopgap spending bill before October 1, when current funding expires just weeks before the November elections. However, Republicans and Democrats were divided over a voting bill which asked for proof of citizenship from voters.

A spending deal will avert a possible U.S. federal shutdown and funds the government into December, lawmakers said on Sunday when the agreement was announced publicly.

That gives the current Congress the ability to fashion a full-year spending bill after the Nov. 5 election, rather than push that responsibility to the next Congress and president

Congressional Democrats and Republicans have eight days to strike a funding deal before the government goes into a partial shutdown.

Congressional Democrats and Republicans have eight days to strike a funding deal before the government goes into a partial shutdown.

Congressional leaders have a deal on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months.