Senate approves 2-year budget and debt deal, sending it to Obama

Senate clears 2-year spending, debt bill, sends it to Obama — (Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

President Obama has had his last debt-ceiling showdown with the Republican-controlled Congress. Early Friday, the Senate approved a two-year debt and budget package negotiated by the White House and leaders of Congress, sending it to Obama's desk for his signature. The vote in the Senate, 64 to 35, followed a similarly lopsided approval in the House on Wednesday. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 raises the debt limit — set to be hit on Nov. 3 — through 2017 and sets spending levels through the end of fiscal 2017. Included in those limits is an $80 billion easing of the 2011 budget caps on the military and social spending.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.