If, after the process of considering amendments, it proves impossible to reach agreement on a non-financial bill, then the bill may be lost.

BBC: Passage through the other House

However, such an agreement proved impossible in the hyper-political climate of an election year, and the government-wide cuts opposed by both sides now are set to take effect.

CNN: Debate on spending cuts seeks blame, not solutions

The Senate cast more votes to break filibusters last year than in the entire 1950s and '60s combined, making it nearly impossible to come to agreement on key legislation.

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