Congressional Republicans seek to unite around bill to avert government shutdown

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shake hands during a House Republican members conference meeting in Trump National Doral resort, in Miami, Florida, U.S. January 27, 2025.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress looked set to move ahead this week to keep the government funded and avert a partial shutdown beginning on Saturday, as Washington is rocked by President Donald Trump's rapid moves to slash federal agencies.

Hardline members of the fractious 218-214 House Republican majority -- who over the past year repeatedly bucked Speaker Mike Johnson's plans -- have signaled support for the bill, which would keep the government funded at its current levels through September 30, when the current fiscal year ends.