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Article snippet: WASHINGTON — Congress approved a two-week stopgap measure on Thursday that will avoid a government shutdown this weekend, pushing until just before Christmas a broader possible showdown over spending priorities, immigration and health care. The measure, which the House and Senate passed in quick succession, would fund the government through Dec. 22. President Trump is expected to sign it. “Along with enacting historic tax reform, we’ll be working together in the next two weeks to find a long-term solution to our funding needs while maintaining fiscal discipline,” said Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin. The approval came as congressional leaders from both parties met with Mr. Trump at the White House to talk about the thicket of issues facing lawmakers as the end of the year approaches. In negotiations this month, Democrats plan to press to shield from deportation undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, has pledged to support the passage of bipartisan legislation intended to stabilize health insurance markets under the Affordable Care Act. Lawmakers also want to provide tens of billions of dollars in response to this year’s hurricanes and wildfires, and they need to provide funds for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, whose financing lapsed at the end of September. All of these issues loom as Republicans move ahead with their effort to pass an ambitious rewrite of th... Link to the full article to read more