Trump Signs $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill, Averting A Government Shutdown

President Trump signed a massive spending bill Friday, hours after threatening a veto that would have triggered a government shutdown.

The $1.3 trillion omnibus legislation passed both chambers of Congress after lengthy negotiations between leaders of both parties. The Senate passed it late Thursday, and most lawmakers had left Washington by Friday morning.

Trump tweeted just before 9 a.m. ET that he was "considering a VETO" because the bill does not fully address his immigration priorities. Hours later, the president relented and signed the measure, just as his aides had promised all along.

The eleventh-hour veto threat added suspense to what otherwise would have been a perfunctory signing ceremony and guaranteed a rapt audience for the president's midday TV appearance.

"I looked very seriously at the veto," Trump said. "I was thinking about doing the veto. But because of the incredible gains that we've been able to make for the military, that overrode any of our thinking."

Aides had been insisting Trump would sign the measure because it authorizes tens of billions of dollars in additional military spending.

"My highest duty is to keep America safe," Trump said. -  More, NPR

Trump Signs $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill, Averting A Government Shutdown