Both sides seem to have blinked; the government's back in session. Just after I posted a few hours ago, a deal was struck to do a budget for the rest of FY2011. The bill includes $38b in cuts, but doesn't include the Panned Parenthood defunding rider; that will get a seperate vote in the Senate in the future.
One feature of the American political system is that divided government means having to make deals; were we in a parliamentary system, we'd be looking at an election. Since that isn't an option, both sides had to reach a deal.
Such dealmaking has oft been compaired to making sausage; you don't want to see them put in everything but the squeal. However, there are some mighty tasty sausages; this isn't one of them, but it's a step away from the brink at least.
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