Congress Passes Symbolic Budgets, Leaves Town

In what's called a "vote-a-rama" Friday, senators are expected to pass their first budget since 2009.

Like the budget that passed in the Republican-controlled House yesterday, it will largely be a symbolic document filled with partisan goals.

Both chambers have now passed measures to keep the government funded past next Wednesday, when current funding expires.

When lawmakers return from a two-week break next month, they will try to hammer out the details of agreements on how to expand federal background checks on gun purchasers, and whether illegal immigrants will have a path to citizenship.

Meantime, tomorrow is the third anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Will there be enough money to fully implement it, and are states ready to start up the health insurance exchanges that are part of it?