Congress Reaches $1.6 Trillion Spending Deal to Avert Shutdown
• US Congress leaders reached $1.6tn spending deal to avoid partial government shutdown • Deal includes $886bn for defense, $704bn+ for non-defense; some discrepancy over exact numbers • Accelerates $20bn IRS budget cut, takes back $6.1bn in unused Covid funds • Provides protection for benefits, health spending demanded by Democrats • Deal "moves us closer" to preventing shutdown, per President Biden, but still needs House and Senate approval