Congress to vote on long-term budget deal, averting shutdown
By Richard Cowan and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers were expected to vote on Thursday on a two-year budget deal that would avert another government shutdown but add $300 billion to the federal deficit and leave the thorny issue of immigration unresolved. The plan faced resistance from conservatives in the Republican Party, who favor less spending on domestic government programs. At the same time, many Democrats, including House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, plan to oppose the bill because of frustration that Republican House leaders have refused to guarantee debate on a bipartisan immigration bill.