Congress Gets Rid of Short-Term Concerns About Default, Shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans will be able to look ahead to the 2016 elections without worrying about a default or a partial government shutdown.

The Senate gave final congressional approval early today to a two-year budget deal, despite opposition from conservatives including two presidential candidates — Rand Paul and Ted Cruz.

President Barack Obama says he’s hoping it will help break what he calls a “cycle of shutdowns and manufactured crises.”