Now that the congressional standoff over the government shutdown and the debt ceiling has finally ended, here's a look back at the key events of the crisis:
Jan. 18
At a Republican retreat in Williamsburg, Va., GOP leaders agree not to force a debt ceiling showdown and to address deficit reduction demands later in the year.
Aug. 19
The conservative group Heritage Action's anti-Affordable Care Act town hall tour begins in Fayetteville, Ark. The tour features Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and his father, Rafael Cruz, and Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, the former South Carolina senator.
Aug. 21
80 House Republicans sign a letter to Speaker John Boehner urging him to "affirmatively de-fund the implementation and enforcement of ObamaCare in any relevant appropriations bill brought to the House floor in the 113th Congress, including any continuing appropriations bill."
Sept. 20
House Republicans approve legislation that would defund the health care law while keeping the government open through Dec. 15. The White House has already said the president would veto such a measure.
Sept. 24-25
Ted Cruz stages 21-hour speech on the Senate floor to protest the Affordable Care Act.
Sept. 26
Boehner says President Obama needs to negotiate with Republicans on raising the debt limit. The Treasury has warned it will run out of "extraordinary measures" it has been using to keep paying the nation's bills by Oct. 17.