Senate reaches agreement on debt ceiling, government shutdown deal

The deal will fund the government through January 15, raise the debt ceiling through February 7

By Elias Isquith

Published October 16, 2013 5:20PM (EDT)

The Senate has reached a deal to reopen the government and avert a default on the country's debt.

Via ThinkProgress, here's the outline of the deal:

  • Government funded through Jan. 15 at sequestration levels
  • Debt limit extended until Feb. 7, subject to vote of Congressional disapproval, which Obama can veto
  • A budget conference established to come up with long-term spending plans by Dec. 13
  • Income verification for recipients of subsidies under Obamacare’s newly-established exchanges
  • Backpay for furloughed workers

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. tonight, and the House is expected to vote on the bill thereafter. For his part, Senator Ted Cruz has let it be known he will not impede the bill's passage in the upper chamber. The president, meanwhile, has indicated that the deal is to his liking, according to the Huffington Post.


By Elias Isquith

Elias Isquith is a former Salon staff writer.

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