President Donald Trump and the US Senate on Friday signed a one-week budget stopgap, which will avoid a government shutdown allowing lawmakers to continue their negotiations over pandemic relief. 

The measure, which extends current funding for all federal agencies through December 18, was passed by the Senate by voice vote days after the House of Representatives approved the so-called continuing resolution. The US President signed the measure on Friday evening, hours before a midnight deadline that would have seen funding for federal operations dry up.

The one-week reprieve averts the government shutdown as the United States is suffering a spike in COVID-19 cases and daily deaths without any new economic relief for families and businesses struggling in the pandemic. Now, the US Senate has extra time to craft a rescue package. 

However, the new deal on pandemic relief and federal funding for the fiscal year 2021, which began October 1, will witness intense legislative work before the Christmas holiday. 

The temporary fix had faced multiple procedural threats, including from an unlikely duo, conservative Senator Josh Hawley and far-left Senator Bernie Sanders. Both lawmakers are seeking a new round of rebate checks sent directly to Americans as part of any pandemic relief package.

Backing off his threat to delay the stopgap unless it includes rebate checks of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child, Sanders on Friday said, “I am prepared to withdraw my objection for this moment, but I will not be prepared to withdraw my objection next week.”

“We’re not going to go home for the Christmas holidays” unless direct payments to households are agreed to, he added.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has been working to finesse a $908 billion stimulus plan that includes new unemployment aid, help for state and local governments, and limited liability protections for businesses.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday signalled that she might keep lawmakers in Washington, even beyond Christmas if needed, until a stimulus deal is reached.