The House on Thursday afternoon voted to spare Pakistan from proposals that would have cut off $2 billion in aid to that country.

The proposals were offered as amendments to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas). Poe, like other members, is highly critical of Pakistan's apparent lack of cooperation in helping the U.S. find terrorist Osama bin Laden.

The House on Thursday afternoon rejected a series of amendments aimed at defunding various aspects of the war and related operations in Afghanistan. Democrats on Wednesday put forward amendments to the 2012 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, H.R. 2219, but all were turned away in recorded votes.

By a 97-322 vote, the House rejected language from Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) that would have reduced funding by $33 billion in order to end combat operations in Afghanistan.

Republicans and Democrats spoke on Thursday in support of two amendments to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act that would cut off funding for ongoing military action in Libya.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) offered the first amendment, which would prohibit any funding in the fiscal 2012 spending bill from being used to provide equipment, training or other support for the operation in Libya.

"Libya did not attack the United States of America," Cole said. "Libya did not attack any member of NATO. Libya has not allowed al Qaeda to operate with impunity out of its territory. Quite simply, however much we detest Mr. Gadhafi and his regime, we have no reason to be at war or confuting military operations in Libya."

The Senate voted Thursday to allow Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) millionaire tax resolution to come to the floor for debate.

The Senate has slated another vote for Monday on whether to end debate and move the measure for a final vote on passage.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday defended the Senate's light work schedule and his decision to keep the upper chamber in session during a week usually reserved for the Independence Day recess.

"There was a lot of work this week that took place as a result of us being here that would not have taken place but for the fact that we were in session," said Reid. "There has been a lot of working going on behind the scenes." 

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) on Thursday argued that any agreement to raise the debt ceiling should be accompanied by congressional passage of a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution.

Pence's demand could be an indication of the kind of price that Tea Party Republicans will insist on for supporting plans to raise the debt ceiling. The White House and congressional leaders appeared to be inching toward an agreement to raise the debt ceiling, trim Medicare and Social Security spending and close "tax loopholes."

Sen. McCain took to the floor Thursday to mock the Senate's sparse achievements during the week.

Republicans allowed a resolution on millionaires to proceed in hopes of putting Democrats on the spot about raising taxes. 

“Everything is on the table except raising taxes on the American people,” the Speaker said ahead of a White House meeting.