With a partial government shutdown threatening at midnight on Friday (December 21), lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday (December 19) taking a step back from the brink.

The Senate approving a two-month extension in federal funding without the money President Trump had demanded for his border wall.

(Soundbite) (English) U.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL, REPUBLICAN FOR KENTUCKY, SAYING: "The measure will provide the resources necessary to continue normal operations".

If approved by the House as well, the stopgap measure would put on hold a raging dispute between Trump and the Democrats over funding for the wall.

(Soundbite) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: "I will shut down the government, absolutely".

Trump had said he was willing to shut down the government to get his way, but had backed off Tuesday (December 18) saying he would look for other ways to find the money.

(Soundbite) (English) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY SARAH SANDERS, SAYING: "The President's asked every one of his cabinet secretaries to look for funding that can be used to protect our borders" Democrats such as Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer rejecting that idea.

(Soundbite) (English) DEMOCRATIC SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER, SAYING: "The administration cannot reprogram funds appropriated by Congress for the full wall, without our assent".

Trump says the wall is needed to keep out illegal immigrants and drugs.

But Democrats - and some Republicans - are refusing to budge saying border security can be achieved without a wall.

The stopgap bill, which now goes to the House, would keep the government funded through February 8th.