Budget agreement forces new look at oft-panned proposals

WASHINGTON (AP) — The big budget deal that the White House is so happy about contains a couple of items that President Barack Obama or other administration officials were panning not too long ago. Obama called one feature in the deal an "irresponsible budget gimmick." And Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz warily labeled another part "a very slippery slope" to be avoided.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The big budget deal that the White House is so happy about contains a couple of items that President Barack Obama or other administration officials were panning not too long ago. Obama called one feature in the deal an "irresponsible budget gimmick." And Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz warily labeled another part "a very slippery slope" to be avoided.…