Senate passes budget bill

Washignton — The Senate approved a crucial bipartisan budget agreement early Friday that would avert a government default and end nearly five years of pitched battles between congressional Republicans and the Obama administration over fiscal policy.

The measure, which was approved 64-35, now goes to the White House, where President Barack Obama has said he will sign it.

“This agreement is a reminder that Washington can still choose to help, rather than hinder, America’s progress,” Obama said in a statement.

The Senate vote, held in the dead of night, was perhaps a fitting cap on the clashes between Republicans and the White House, which many warned had put the United States on the edge of economic calamity and, in 2013, forced a 16-day shutdown of the federal government.

Unlike the 2013 fight, in which Republicans ultimately surrendered and conceded defeat in trying to force a repeal of Obama’s health care law, this week’s budget accord was largely a draw.

The deal would increase spending by $80 billion over two years and raise the federal debt ceiling, averting a default that the Treasury had warned would happen early next week. It was approved in the House on Wednesday with the overwhelming support of Democrats, but with less than onethird of Republicans backing it.

The measure calls for corresponding budget cuts to avoid increasing the deficit, including reductions in Medicare payments to doctors and other healthcare providers. It also envisions savings from tighter eligibility requirements and other changes to a Social Security disability program.

Modest in scope, especially in the context of the nearly $4 trillion annual budget, the accord represents a significant breakthrough.

While Congress must still adopt spending bills for the next two years, the bill would substantially reduce the risk of a government shutdown by setting spending targets for two years and allowing Congress to return to its regular appropriations process.

It also will allow the newly installed House speaker, Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., a clean start in which he can focus on mending deep divisions among House Republicans.