U.S. Congress takes steps to push budget deadline, avert shutdown

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts after signing an executive order on education during an event with Governors at the White House in Washington, DC, U.S. April 26, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress began moving to extend Friday's budget deadline until May 5 and is expected to pass legislation allowing more time to finalise a spending deal to fund the federal government through September and avoid a shutdown.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen introduced a bill late on Thursday night to fund government operations at current levels for one more week, giving leading Republicans and Democrats time to finish negotiations on a spending plan for the rest of the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30.