Lawmaker says GOP has the votes to avert government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the House's conservative leaders indicated Thursday that Republicans have the votes needed to approve legislation preventing a weekend partial government shutdown.

With Senate passage also considered likely, the remarks by Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., seemed to erase any doubt that Congress would approve legislation keeping federal agencies afloat through Dec. 22. Their money runs out at midnight Friday without approval of fresh funding.

But hours before President Donald Trump was to bargain with congressional leaders at the White House over long-term budget decisions, Meadows, who heads the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, says the group would oppose any agreement they feel allows excessive federal spending.