President Trump signed a temporary spending bill Friday morning that prevents a partial government shutdown at midnight.

The legislation continues government funding at current levels for two weeks through Dec. 22 and swiftly passed the House and Senate on Thursday.

The short-term package disentangles routine government funding, for now, from efforts to finalize tax cut legislation and a push to extend legal protections to young illegal immigrants.

Unless Congress acts again, however, government funds will run out on the Friday evening before Christmas, which falls on a Monday.

The next day, Dec. 23, is the last of a federal worker pay period, meaning workers would not be paid on time if an impasse lasts a day, possibly entitling workers to double wages.

There appeared little appetite for a shutdown crisis this week, but agencies braced for one nonetheless as Trump tweeted last week about his doubts.

“Meeting with ‘Chuck and Nancy’ today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal!” Trump tweeted.

Meeting with “Chuck and Nancy” today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2017



The last partial government shutdown lasted 16 days in 2013.

The short-term spending extension that Trump signed passed the House in a largely party-line 235-193 vote. The Senate passed the bill 81-14.