Debt deal sent to Obama
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. Senate passed a bill today to raise the nation’s debt ceiling.
Before the final votes were in, at least 61 senators said they would vote to support a deficit reduction package that will allow the government to continue to borrow, ensuring the Senate would pass the bill and send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.
According to a tally by The Associated Press, 61 senators have said they will vote to support the package, including 40 Democrats, 20 Republicans and independent Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. Twenty senators have said they will oppose it, while the rest are either undecided or haven’t stated their position.
The Senate voted for the package Tuesday afternoon. Without the legislation, the government’s ability to borrow would run out at midnight. The bill is subject to a 60-vote threshold to advance.
The House passed the bill Monday with broad bipartisan support.
The final vote was 74-26.