Senate forces more debate on spending-cut bill
Posted on: Wednesday, 21 December 2005, 10:26 CST
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday failed to overcome Democratic objections to a $39.7 billion spending-cut bill, forcing changes to the measure that would also have to be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
By a vote of 52-48, the Senate failed to set aside objections by Sen. Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, over some health care provisions in the bill. Republicans needed to get a minimum of 60 votes to beat the Democratic move. The legislation was passed by the House on Monday.
The move added a new wrinkle to Republicans' year-long efforts to pass a budget bill that would cut social welfare, such as Medicare and Medicaid, student loans and other programs.
With Vice President Dick Cheney on hand in case his vote was needed to break a tie, lawmakers had been braced for a narrow vote on the nearly $40 billion spending bill
Before voting, Democrats criticized the measure's cuts to programs for the poor.
"It's an attack on the middle class and those in greatest need on behalf of lobbyists for the powerful," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.
Source: REUTERS
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