The US government has avoided a federal shutdown after both House and Senate agreed on a short-term funding deal. A bill that keeps the government funded until 17th November- but includes no new aid for Ukraine – was approved in the Senate by 88 votes to nine.<br />''<br />''President Joe Biden signed it into law minutes before the midnight deadline.The proposal was put forward by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as he fought off a rebellion by hard-liners in his own party.<br />''<br />''A shutdown, which would place tens of thousands of federal employees on furlough without pay and suspend various government services, was slated to begin at 00:01 ET (04:01 GMT) on Sunday. But in a dramatic turnaround on Saturday afternoon, House Republicans scrambled to pass a temporary funding measure that would keep the government open for until mid-November and make no major concessions on spending levels. It was backed by more Democrats than Republicans, with as many as 90 Republicans voting against it.<br />''<br />''The move was a blow to a small group of right-wing Republicans who have held up negotiations in the chamber with unyielding demands for spending cuts. However, with a majority of lawmakers keen to avert a shutdown, one of the faction's key demands – no more US funding for Ukraine's defence against its invasion by Russia – is reflected in the bill.<br />''<br />''In a statement released shortly after the Senate vote, President Joe Biden said extreme House Republicans had sought to create a manufactured crisis, and urged Speaker McCarthy to allow a further funding deal for Ukraine to pass without delay. He said: we cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted.<br />''<br />''In an unusual move, senior Senate leaders from both parties, including minority leader Mitch McConnell, released a joint statement signalling their intention to ensure the US government continues to provide support to Ukraine in the coming weeks.<br />