Tester praises temporary spending bill

U.S. Sen Jon Tester praised on Wednesday a short-term spending bill passed by Congress that he said will avert a government shutdown and prevent cuts to federal programs rural America depends on.

"I understand if the government shuts down Montana loses," he said during a telephone press conference.

The $1.1 trillion stop-gap funding measure, passed both Houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Donald Trump last week, funds the government through September.

Tester said the legislation is "a responsible bill that reflects a bipartisan compromise."

The bill would also at l...