US spending deal clinched, could avert government shutdown

US congressional budget negotiators said today they had reached a deal on federal spending for the remainder of fiscal 2018, two days before a deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown.

The USD 1.3 trillion spending bill was hailed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, Congress's top Republican, as marking "the beginning of a new era for the United States military," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it would fulfil Democratic goals.

"This critical funding bill fulfils our pledge to rebuild the nation's military," Ryan said.

"It also addresses many of our national priorities, such as school safety, infrastructure, and fighting the opioid epidemic."