Republicans, eyeing midterms, hold 'messaging' vote on deficits

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday failed to pass a balanced budget amendment that would have prohibited federal spending from exceeding revenues.Republicans held the symbolic vote to show voters that their party still cares about fiscal responsibility just days after congressional budget analysts said annual U.S. deficits will soon approach $1 trillion due to recent legislation.The balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution had little chance of becoming law s