US Budget Deal Passes Congress
The US Senate passed a compromise two-year budget accord Wednesday that cements austerity cuts in place in exchange for alleged Republican concessions.
Via AFP:
The US Senate passed a compromise two-year budget accord Wednesday, marking a truce in the fiscal wars that have plagued Washington and reducing the likelihood of a government shutdown in January.
The measure, which already cleared the House and passed the Senate 64-36 with the support of nine Republicans and the entire Democratic caucus, now goes to President Barack Obama, who said he was "pleased" with the vote.
He is expected to sign the legislation before heading to Hawaii on Friday for his Christmas break.
The deal lays out top-line spending limits for 2014 and 2015, while erasi...