The US Congress has approved an 11th-hour deal to end the partial government shutdown and pull the world’s biggest economy back from the brink of a historic debt default.

The deal was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 285 to 144.

Earlier the Senate passed the measure on a 81-18 vote.

President Barack Obama says the government will be back in business immediately.

The deal offers only a temporary fix. It funds the government until January 15, and raises the debt ceiling until February 7, so Americans face the possibility of another government shutdown early next year.

No changes have been made to 'Obamacare' the health care bill which Republicans had opposed.

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