Pelosi, Mnuchin agree on plan to avoid government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and the Trump administration are taking a key step toward avoiding a government shutdown in September. They have informally agreed to keep a stopgap funding bill that’s needed to avert a government shutdown free of controversy or conflict. That’s according to Democratic and Republican aides on Capitol Hill who were briefed on a Wednesday conversation between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The accord is aimed at keeping a government shutdown off the table amid the ongoing battles over new coronavirus relief legislation. It should also help Washington avoid the possibility of a shutdown ahead of the election.