Congress Changes Tone To Avert Government Shutdown

In a dramatic shift from their bitter exchanges earlier in the week, Congressional leaders made nice yesterday to reach an 11th hour deal to avert a government shutdown.

Negotiators from both parties and houses of Congress reached agreement on a $1 trillion budget to keep the federal government funded through the end of fiscal year 2011. But there is no deal so far on extending the payroll tax holiday that is set to expire by end of the month, and negotiations continue about extending un-employment benefits.