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U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the taping of the 'Christmas in Washington' television special to benefit Children's National Medical Center in Washington, Dec. 14, 2014. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed a $1.1 trillion spending bill passed by Congress last week that lifted the threat of a government shutdown.

The legislation funds most government agencies through September 2015. The Department of Homeland Security will be treated differently, getting a funding extension only through Feb. 27, by which time Republicans will control both chambers of Congress.

Passage of the 1,603-page bill was a long struggle in the Senate and the House of Representatives marked by bitter disputes over changes to banking regulations and Obama's recent executive order on immigration.