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Senate Drama Over Too--Now, Conference Drama!

Last night the Senate passed their own budget resolution, too. The roll call is here--the final tally was 55-43 with two familiar Democrats (Evan Bayh and Ben Nelson) joining the Republicans, all of whom voted no. This allowed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to demagogue a little bit:

Over bipartisan opposition, Democrats in Congress passed a budget that clears the way for massive amounts of spending.... Although Democrats rejected several efforts to control spending, create jobs and cut the debt, Senate Republicans were able to slam the door on using the fast track process to jam through a new national energy tax. The strong bipartisan vote on this issue should serve as a clear warning to those involved in crafting the final budget: Americans vehemently oppose a new national energy tax that would hit them every time they flip on a light switch, watch TV, or drive the family car.

Next comes the conference, where the House and Senate will haggle over the differences between the two resolutions, including whether to include reconciliation instructions in the final version and, no doubt, a few contentious amendments. We'll follow breaking developments, and get you more reactions later in the day. But for now, here's President Obama from Europe:

Tonight, the Senate has joined the House of Representatives in taking an important step toward rebuilding our struggling economy. This budget resolution embraces our most fundamental priorities: an energy plan that will end our dependence on foreign oil and spur a new clean energy economy; an education system that will ensure our children will be able to compete in the economy of the 21st century; and health care reform that finally confronts the back-breaking costs plaguing families, businesses and government alike. And by making hard choices and challenging the old ways of doing business, we will cut in half the budget deficit we inherited within four years. With this vote comes an obligation to pursue our efforts to go through the budget line-by-line, searching for additional savings. Like the families we serve, we must cut the things we don't need to invest in those we do.


22 Comments

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So according to McCain, the Stimulus was not “bipartisan” if only two or three Republicans vote for it. But according to Mitch rejection of the budget was bipartisan because 2 Democrats voted against it. Funny how that hypocrisy thing works.

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Good point!

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Bayh and Nelson do not bipartisan make. The only reason they're not republicans is that they're pro-choice.

Well, that and Bayh's father Birch would roll in his grave if Evan was a Republican

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Umm Nelson is pro-life he is a member of Democrats for Life of America.

If you want to see a very long list you can check out all the times Nelson has gone against his party. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/n000180/votes/against-party/ From ending the Iraq war to the Federal Marriage Amendment, when it really counts Nelson is a Republican.

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Well, then that just further complicates it all. My *understanding* was that the blue dogs were either socially liberal and fiscally conservative, or the other way around (such as Bob Casey). Which begs the question: Why on earth does Nelson call himself a Democrat

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One issue: Farm Subsidies.

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Holyhandgreaid:

Birch Bayh is unlikely to be rolling in his grave (not yet at least) as he is still alive and well.

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I like the speed with which the House and Senate are moving. There has not been an on time budget since President Clinton. There have been plenty of continuing resolution authorities that keep the budgets for the previous FY in place but that is no way to operate. Your ability to commit to long term projects is severely curtailed.

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While it's good to see movement in the Senate without all the pleading to get a Repub vote or two (not needed at this point), there's still time for continuing resolutions to win the (2010) day. This bill wasn't about specific appropriations; it was just the blueprint. There will be huge battles when the individual appropriation bills come up.

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Absolutely--they're getting it done. From the AP: "The day's events capped a busy three months for the Democratic-controlled Congress that took office in January. Moving with unusual speed, lawmakers have enacted a $787 billion economic stimulus measure, cleared the way for release of $350 billion in financial industry bailout funds, approved an expansion of children's health care and...set aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as protected wilderness." And now passed a $3.5 trillion budget. Woo-hoo!

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Terminate them ... with the ballot box, I guess.

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Its always like this with republicans. They depend upon an a poorly informed public.

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Instead of sound policy.

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The only reason Ben Nelson calls himself a Democrat is because he has more fund raising opportunity that way. I feel pretty much the same way about Bayh. They won't change until their behavior starts to negatively impact their fund raising.

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I give Nelson a pass though. Common his state is so red it's amazing he was elected. Bayh has no excuse though. Although his state is purple it has voted for Barack while he votes against him. Time to put some pressure on him for sure.

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Byah and Nelson two weak dicks wusses.

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Yeah, I really don't get why Bayh did this. Indiana is pretty red but voted for Obama. Republicans are not as popular here right now as one might imagine.

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Bayh does it because he's clueless and out of touch. At least LIEberman finally saw the writing on the wall. Doesn't make me feel any better about him or his war mongering though.

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Matt Y. is reporting that 9 Senate Dems voted for the Lincoln-Kyle estate tax rollback.

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/04/budget_bullets.php

Anyone have a vote breakdown on this? I like to keep my sh*tlist up to date. Thanks in advance.

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Found it.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00146

Bayh, Baucus, Cantwell, Landrieu, Lincoln, Murray, the Nelsons, and Tester are the D votes for this kiss to the wealthy.

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Bayh is really just Leiberman without the sniveling!

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Should Bayh still harbors Presidential ambitions, his recent statements and actions indicate that it is the Republican nomination he is seeking.

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