President Joe Biden signed a temporary spending bill, averting a government shutdown just before the holidays. The bipartisan measure, passed by the House and Senate, maintains current funding levels for about two months, allowing more time for negotiations on the federal budget. The split deadlines of Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 set the stage for potential partial government shutdowns. The move, criticized by some Senate members, addresses immediate concerns but leaves key issues, including $106 billion wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine, for future negotiations post-Thanksgiving. The two-step approach signals a looming spending “fight” in the coming year.