Congress Averts Government Shutdown , With Short-Term Funding Extension.br The stopgap measure was passed by br Congress on Jan. 18, CNN reports. .br It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 77-18 br and then in the House by a vote of 314-108.br It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 77-18 br and then in the House by a vote of 314-108.br It will now go to the president to be signed into law, avoiding a partial government shutdown that was set to occur after Jan. 19.br Another government shutdown br deadline was also set for Feb. 2. .br Two new funding deadlines, br March 1 and March 8, will be established br by the short-term funding extension. .br This will give Congress more time for appropriations bills for the year to be passed.br House Speaker Mike Johnson has faced criticism over a spending deal he made with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.br The deal would set overall spending at approximately $1.66 trillion, CNN reports. .br Johnson stands by the spending agreement and says the short-term funding extension... .br ... “is required to complete what House Republicans are working hard to achieve: an end to governance by omnibus, meaningful policy wins and better stewardship of American tax dollars.