Republicans, eyeing midterms, set up 'messaging' vote on deficits

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote as early as Thursday on a "balanced budget amendment" that would prohibit federal spending from exceeding federal revenues, but it is seen as a largely symbolic gesture.The vote is meant to show Republican voters that their party cares about fiscal responsibility, but may come just days after congressional budget analysts said annual U.S. deficits will soon approach $1 trillion due to recent legislation.A balanced-budget