Obama signs bill funding gov't through April 8

[March 19, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has signed a second short-term spending bill to keep the government running, this time through April 8, giving lawmakers more time to agree on a package of spending cuts Republicans are demanding.

Obama signed the bill Friday at the White House before he heads out on a five-day tour of Latin America. Administration officials have met with top aides to Republican House Speaker John Boehner (BAY-'nuhr) and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to discuss budget cuts that would be included in a bill to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. The House has passed a bill with $61 billion in spending cuts, but it doesn't have enough votes to clear the Senate. Obama also has threatened to veto it. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.