Article snippet: The Senate passed a sweeping budget deal in the early hours of Friday morning - but not before the government technically ran out of money at midnight Thursday, triggering the second shutdown in less than a month. The Senate, which began voting at 1:30 a.m. Friday, approved the deal 71 to 28. This shutdown could be just hours long and cause minimal disruption if the House follows suit and later Friday morning also passes the two-year budget package, which includes funding to keep the government running through March 23. Members of the House were warned they might need to vote on the measure the Senate passed between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m Friday, and, as the hours dragged on, procedural concerns meant a House vote mid-morning Friday appeared possible. The Senate vote was delayed until past midnight by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul - who spoke passionately for hours on the Senate floor Thursday evening as he tried to force a vote on an amendment that would effectively undermine the budget deal. Paul claimed the price tag is too big, and that instead of spending more on defense, the U.S. should withdraw from Afghanistan. "Washington is broken," Paul argued, "spending money like it's out of control." A visibly annoyed Majority Whip John Cornyn said Paul "will effectively shut down the federal government for no real reason." "I know he wants to make a point. He has that right. I agree with many of his concerns about deficits and debt. But we are in an emerg... Link to the full article to read more