Lawmakers return to assess budget and debt agreement

House lawmakers are returning to Washington to assess a budget and debt deal between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump, but there's no evidence of any last-gasp drama that could upset the hard-won compromise.

The two-year deal announced Monday would enable the government's debt-fueled spending increases to continue through late 2021. Reaction to it broke along predictable lines. Washington's pragmatic class is supporting it, sometimes reluctantly, while lawmakers on the right are the main opposition voices.

The bill and $1.37 trillion in follow-up spending bills this fall would rule out a repeat government shutdown or first-ever default on U.S. obligations — or politically risky and exhausting battles for both sides.

The deal would restore the government's ability to borrow to pay its bills past next year's elections.