Concession on offshore energy drilling clears path for quiet exit for senators Two parties that started September headed for a bitter clash that could have shut down the government are now preparing for a quiet departure as each tries to shift into campaign mode. Democrats have given in to GOP demands to lift a decades-old ban on expanding offshore drilling, paving the way for must-pass legislation to keep the government running after Oct. 1. Several senior Republicans say that concession makes it highly unlikely that the GOP will block the measure — and effectively shut down the government — even if the legislation includes other provisions the conference opposes. Meanwhile, Senate GOP and Democratic leaders have brokered a major deal to extend business tax breaks, patch the alternative minimum tax and renew dozens of expiring energy provisions — a bill each side said was necessary to complete before Election Day....