President Obama signs bill to avert default, open government

Thursday, October 17, 2013

President Barack Obama walks out to make a statement to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. The Senate voted to avoid a financial default and reopen the government after a 16-day partial shutdown and the measure now heads to the House, which is expected to back the bill before days end. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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washington, d.c., government shutdown, president barack obama, national/world

DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON - October 17, 2013 (WPVI) -- 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.

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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.

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washington, d.c., government shutdown, president barack obama, national/world