President Obama signs measure averting default on debt

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The morning sun illuminates the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, as the government teeters on the brink of a partial shutdown at midnight unless Congress can reach an agreement on funding. U.S. stock futures fell sharply Monday morning as the government careened toward closures that would force 800,000 federal workers off the job without pay. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Tags:

barack obama, john boehner, republicans, obamacare, health care, congress, government shutdown, furloughs, democrats, politics

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has signed a measure into law reopening the federal government and averting a potential default.

The White House says Obama signed the bill early Thursday, hours after the House gave final approval.

The White House budget office has already instructed federal workers to plan to return to work Thursday morning.

Story: House vote on government budget bill postponed

Story: Hope for shutdown deal: Reid, McConnell optimistic

Story: Reid, McConnell still at odds over gov't spending

Story: Senate GOP leader talks of bipartisan solution

Story: Starbucks asks customers to sign petition

Story: White House: No decision on government shutdown

Story: Charity to pay military death benefits

Story: Microbreweries can't sell new beer due to shutdown

Story: Gold Star Moms outraged funeral funds are frozen

The measure restores funding for the government through Jan. 15 and extends the nation's borrowing authority through Feb. 7.

The partial government shutdown started Oct. 1. The U.S. was to reach its debt limit Thursday if no deal was reached.

As the deal neared final passage in the House Wednesday, Obama said it was now time for leaders in Washington to win back the trust of Americans that was lost during the debt-and-spending crisis.

Get more Politics »

Tags: