Gov't shutdown, health bill rescue at stake in Congress
By ALAN FRAM and ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press
Apr 25, 2017 2:13 AM CDT
FILE - In this March 30, 2017 file photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump could avert the risk of a government shutdown next weekend by stepping back from his demand that lawmakers fund his promised border wall...   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bipartisan bargainers are progressing toward a budget deal to prevent a partial federal shutdown this weekend.

A major hurdle came down when President Donald Trump signaled he would put off his demand that the measure include money to build his border wall with Mexico.

Separately, House Republicans are vetting proposed changes to their beleaguered health care bill that they hope will attract enough votes to finally push it through the House.

Both efforts come as Congress returns from a two-week break just days before Trump's 100th day in office, which is Saturday. That's an unofficial measuring stick of a new president's effectiveness.

That same day, federal agencies would have to close unless lawmakers approve spending legislation.

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