Senate Passes Two Week Spending Bill
Washington Post reports:
The Senate on Wednesday approved a stopgap measure that would keep the federal government funded through March 18, sending the bill on to President Obama for his signature.
The bill, which would cut $4 billion in spending by targeting programs that Obama has already marked for elimination, passed on a 91-to-9 vote, one day after it was approved by the House.
Obama is expected to sign the bill. If he did not sign by Friday, the federal government would be forced to shut down.
Among the nine "no" votes Wednesday were five Republicans -- Sens. Orrin Hatch (Utah), Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.), Jim Risch (Idaho) and Mike Crapo (Idaho) -- three Democrats -- Sens. Tom Harkin (Iowa), Carl Levin (Mich.) and Patty Murray (Wash.) -- and one independent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.).
Some voting against the measure criticized it for not making deep enough cuts. Lee, a freshman and founding member of the Senate Tea Party Caucus, said in a statement ahead of Wednesday's vote that he opposed the two-week plan, which was put forth by House Republicans late last week, calling it "a disappointing failure on the part of both parties to seriously address the economic meltdown we face from our massive deficit and growing national debt."
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