Washington — US Senate leaders say they have reached a bipartisan budget deal for 2018 and 2019 — a move that, if approved by Congress, would avert a second government shutdown in just three weeks. The deal, months in the making, was seen as a major achievement for both the ruling Republicans and opposition Democrats in a deeply divided Washington. Wednesday’s breakthrough came on the eve of a midnight Thursday deadline for Congress to pass a stopgap spending measure — its fifth since October — or once again turn the lights out on the federal government. The proposal would lift caps on federal spending that were mandated under a 2011 law, boosting military and nonmilitary funding by about $300bn in total, aides said. "The compromise we’ve reached will ensure that, for the first time in years, our armed forces will have more of the resources they need to keep America safe," Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a defence h...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.