Obama signs bill funding govt through April 8

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.