"Congressional Leaders Navigate Budget Deal Crossroads to Avoid Shutdown"

Congressional leaders have agreed on a short-term spending bill to extend current funding levels through March 1 and March 8, aiming to provide more time for the passage of year-long spending bills and avoid a government shutdown. The bill is the result of bipartisan negotiations and aims to adhere to a $1.6 trillion spending cap deal reached last week. While the Senate is expected to pass the stop-gap with significant bipartisan support, the process in the House is less clear, with Speaker Mike Johnson facing opposition from far-right members and the need for significant Democratic support to pass the bill.