Despite recent optimism, there are still significant obstacles to overcome before Congress reaches an agreement to cut spending and raise the debt ceiling. Like any other bill, both House and Senate have to pass precisely the same measure before it can be sent to the president, and that won’t be easy. In the House, some Democrats will undoubtedly oppose the bill from the left, and as far as Republicans are concerned, it seems likely that many more than the 22 GOP lawmakers who voted against the Boehner bill will oppose any new agreement that is acceptable to President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.