Tentative Budget Deal Reached
House and Senate negotiators have reached a tentative budget deal that includes fast-track rules to prevent Senate filibusters on health care legislation.A senior Democratic aide confirmed the deal, which is sure to rile Republicans who have threatened retaliation for including reconciliation rules that could be used to cut them out of a deal on health care. But the White House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Democratic leaders did not want to leave open the possibility that a Republican minority could hold hostage their top legislative priority.Negotiators still have some final budget details to work out, but hope to file the conference report by Monday or Tuesday — before the 100-day mark of Obama’s presidency.