Congressional leaders sell $1.2 trillion spending package to members before shutdown deadline

Congressional leaders are working to put a positive light on a $1.2 trillion spending package that lawmakers look to approve before funding expires at midnight Friday for several key government agencies. Text of the legislation had not been released as of Wednesday afternoon, but lawmakers were expecting an official unveiling later in the day or early Thursday. Democrats said they fended off most of the spending cuts and policy changes House Republicans had sought. Still, Speaker Mike Johnson is citing wins. That includes no funding for the United Nations agency alleged by Israel to have had about a dozen employees participate in the Oct. 7 attack Hamas conducted.