White House applauds Senate deal to end shutdown, urges Congress to approve

Watch above: White House applauds Senate deal to end shutdown

WASHINGTON – The White House is urging quick congressional approval of a deal to raise the debt ceiling and end the partial government shutdown.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says the deal reached by Senate leaders “achieves what’s necessary” to reopen the government, remove the threat of default and move past brinksmanship.

READ MORE: Senate reaches deal to reopen U.S. government

Carney says the agreement is bipartisan and that President Barack Obama is looking for Congress to act so he can sign it and remove the threat to the economy.

VIDEO: Senate lawmakers finally reach deal to end shutdown

Obama’s spokesman is praising Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell for working together.

Reid announced the deal at the start of Wednesday’s Senate session.

The agreement would reopen the government through Jan. 15 and increase the nation’s borrowing authority through Feb. 7.