The White House is seen from the South Lawn in Washington October 17, 2008. REUTERS/Larry Downing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday it supports a short-term bill to fund the government and prevent a shutdown, even though its first preference would have been for a long-term deal.

“We do support the short-term CR,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters, referring to a so-called continuing resolution to fund government operations. “However, it is not our first choice. We’d still like to see a clean funding bill -- a two-year budget deal.”