On Friday, President Trump signed a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, the stop-gap measure will keep the federal government running through Dec. 22.

The House and Senate acted to prevent a government shutdown this weekend, with the President signing the resulting bill in privacy of the White House. The measure was taken as the  White House and congressional leaders continue to negotiate a longer-term agreement, following a Thursday meeting involving Trump and congressional leaders.

The White House and lawmakers said the bill will give them more time to negotiate several end-of-the-year agenda items, including the budget, a children's health program and hurricane aid. Administration and congressional aides were continuing the talks on Friday.

"We hope that we're going to make some great progress for our country. I think that will happen," Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office. Added Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York: "Funding the government is extremely important, helping our soldiers is very important and helping average citizens is very important. So we're here in the spirit of: Let's get it done."

The two-week measure funds government agencies from the Defense Department to the IRS. It also makes money available to several states running out of funds for the Children's Health Insurance Program. The popular health care program provides medical care to more than 8 million children.

The White House and lawmakers have been discussing relief from a budget freeze on the Pentagon and domestic agencies, extending the children's health program and providing more disaster aid to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida.