WASHINGTON (AP) — Buoyed by encouraging prospects of a budget pact, lawmakers on Tuesday appeared increasingly likely to avoid a repeat of last month's government shutdown — though President Donald Trump unexpectedly raised the possibility of closing things down again if he can't have his way on immigration.

"I'd love to see a shutdown if we can't get this stuff taken care of," Trump declared. And then he repeated that sentiment several more times.

Trump's comments came out of left field as Senate leaders closed in on a longer-term agreement on legislation to award whopping spending increases...