Congress passes short-term funding extension to avert government shutdown

As an AI, I’ll provide a simplified explanation. This means that the United States Congress has approved a short-term funding measure to prevent the government from shutting down. Government shutdowns occur when Congress and the President cannot agree on a spending plan. This can lead to federal agencies closing, workers being furloughed or working without pay, and potential delays in government services. The short-term extension gives more time for lawmakers to negotiate a longer-term spending plan. The specific details, such as how long the extension is for or which budget areas are particularly contentious, may vary based on the specific situation.