WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has signed a measure into law reopening the federal government and averting a potential default.

The White House says Obama signed the bill early Thursday, hours after the House gave final approval.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks in the Brady Press Briefing room at the White House after the U.S. Senate voted to end the government shutdown and raise the dept limit on October 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that they have reached bipartisan deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling and end the sixteen day government shutdown. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for a vote. Credit: Getty Images

The White House budget office has already instructed federal workers to plan to return to work Thursday morning.

The measure restores funding for the government through Jan. 15 and extends the nation's borrowing authority through Feb. 7.

The partial government shutdown started Oct. 1. The U.S. was to reach its debt limit Thursday if no deal was reached.

As the deal neared final passage in the House Wednesday, Obama said it was now time for leaders in Washington to win back the trust of Americans that was lost during the debt-and-spending crisis.

–

[related]