Story highlights Deadline is Friday to pass a spending bill

Republicans are expected to pass a two-week extension

Trump and congressional leaders meet Thursday at the White House

Washington (CNN) The prognosis to avert a government shutdown looks promising for now as the House and the Senate voted Thursday for a short-term spending bill to keep the federal government running for another two weeks.

But all eyes will be on the White House, where President Donald Trump and top congressional leaders met earlier Thursday to resolve longstanding policy differences so Congress can pass a long-term spending bill by Christmas. And that's no sure thing.

House Republicans had enough votes to pass the stopgap bill -- a positive sign for Republican leaders that the early showdown by the conservative House Freedom Caucus has ended. Republican leaders and Freedom Caucus principals had several meetings Wednesday, with aides and members describing the talks as a positive step to moving forward on the two-week measure. According to one GOP House aide, members were even told they could expect to go home Thursday instead of Friday if they got their work done ahead of the deadline.

However, the major obstacle is what comes after December 22, when the government runs out of money once again.

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