Lawmakers reach deal on spending bill, but hurdles remain

By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders reached agreement on a spending bill that would keep the government running through mid-February. But a temporary federal shutdown is still possible this weekend because some Republican senators are objecting to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The House is expected to take up the legislation later Thursday. The Senate also would have to act before a midnight Friday deadline to avoid a weekend shutdown. The agreement would keep spending at current levels to Feb. 18. The White House is urging quick passage. But conservative Republicans opposed to President Joe Biden’s vaccine rules want Congress to take a hard stand even if that means a brief shutdown.