Congress Votes To Reopen Government, Passes Budget Deal

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The House moved swiftly early Friday to reopen the federal government and pass a $400 billion budget deal, overcoming opposition from both liberal Democrats and tea party conservatives to endorse enormous spending increases despite looming trillion-dollar deficits. The 240-186 vote came in the pre-dawn hours, putting to bed…

Senate Celebrates Budget Deal, But Shutdown Still Possible

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate leaders brokered a long-elusive budget agreement Wednesday that would shower the Pentagon and domestic programs with an extra $300 billion over the next two years. But both Democratic liberals and GOP tea party forces swung against the plan, raising questions about its chances just a day before…