Biden signs $1.7tn spending bill to avert US government shutdown

Bill signed by president after receiving Senate approval and passing the House mostly along party lines, financing federal agencies through September

A $1.7tn spending bill financing federal agencies through September and providing more aid to a devastated Ukraine cleared the House of Representatives on Friday and was signed by Joe Biden as lawmakers raced to finish their work for the year and avoid a partial government shutdown.

The bill passed mostly along party lines, 225-201. Having already received Senate approval, it then headed to Joe Biden’s desk, where the president signed it into law.

The Associated Press contributed reporting