WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives passed legislation on Friday (Dec 20) that would avert a midnight government shutdown, defying President-elect Donald Trump's demand to also greenlight trillions of dollars in new debt.

Next, the Democratic-controlled Senate would need to pass the bill to ensure the government will be funded beyond midnight (1pm Singapore time), when current funding expires. The White House said President Joe Biden intends to sign it into law if they do.

The legislation would extend government funding until March 14, provide US$100 billion (S$135 billion) for disaster-hit states and US$10 billion for farmers. It would not raise the debt ceiling - a difficult task Trump has pushed Congress to do before he takes office on Jan 20.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans would have more power to influence government spending next year, when they will have majorities in both chambers of Congress and Trump will be in the White House.

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