Congress sends budget and debt deal to Barack Obama

President Barack Obama is applauding the Senate’s pre-dawn approval of a two-year budget deal, saying it shows Congress can “help, not hinder” the nation’s progress.

Just after 3 a.m. Washington time, Senators voted 64-35 to approve the measure, which also lifts the debt ceiling. Democrats teamed with Republican defense hawks to overcome opposition from conservatives. They included two GOP senators running for president, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas.

In a written statement, Obama says the deal will strengthen defense, boost needed investments and create jobs. He says it also breaks the cycle of “shutdowns and manufactured crises” that have harmed the U.S. economy. And he urges lawmakers to work speedily to ensure individual agency spending bills are completed before a temporary spending bill runs out.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.