The Senate Wednesday voted against the U.S. House of Representatives budget proposal for the 2012 fiscal year, 40-57. The House bill was sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)
The Senate is considering four measures today on the 2012 budget. A simple majority (51) is necessary for any of the bills to advance. Despite electoral losses in 2010, Democrats still possess a majority in the upper chamber 51-47, with two Independents caucusing with the majority. The outcome of the Ryan plan was largely expected. In recent weeks, several GOP lawmakers have backed away from the extreme cuts the house budget called for.
Yesterday’s special election in New York, in which a Democrat won a traditionally Republican seat, was seen as an indictment on the party’s support for Rep. Ryan’s bill. Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), a one-time tea party favorite, voted against his party to cast a vote of no.
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