Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced a bipartisan deal Wednesday to end the partial government shutdown and avert default on the nation's debt. "The compromise we reached will provide our economy with the stability it desperately needs," Reid, D-Nev., said shortly after noon on the Senate floor. Congress will work to quickly advance the bill through the day in hopes of avoiding default on the national debt. "This if far less that what many of us hoped for," McConnell, R-Ky., said. But he said it was "far better than what some had sought." Sen. Ted Cruz will not work to delay the vote on the bipartisan deal, NBC News reported. The plan was expected to reinstate government spending through mid-January, extend the debt limit through early February, and call for lawmakers to work toward agreement on an overarching budget by Dec. 13. It was also expected to call for stricter income verification for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. House Speaker John Boehner could pass the deal by relying on Democratic votes, House aides told NBC News. Get More at NBCNews
