US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (C) of Kentucky, smiles as he speaks to the press with fellow Republican senators John Barrasso (L) of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas at the Capitol in Washington on August 2, 2011 after the Senate approved a plan to raise the debt ceiling. The Senate approved legislation to avert a disastrous debt default and cut trillions in government spending, sending the contentious bill to President Barack Obama to sign into law. Lawmakers voted 74-26 to pass the measure -- which cleared the House of Representatives by an overwhelming 269-161 margin a day earlier -- with just hours to spare before a midnight (0400 Wednesday) deadline.
