By: Regina Wright ~Staff writer~ A two-year budget agreement was approved in a 266-167 vote by the House of Representatives on Oct. 28 and a 64-35 vote by the Senate on Oct. 30. The budget extends the nation’s debt ceiling until March 2017. The deal increases domestic spending on social services and defense programs for the next two years. Congress intends to pay for these measures by reforming aspects of entitlement spending and selling public airwaves and oil from public petroleum reserves. When revealed earlier last week, many rural lawmakers complained about cuts to the crop insurance program. House leaders … Continue reading Obama signs off on budget deal