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Democratic budget clears Senate committee
Associated Press - March 26, 2009 10:33 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - The vote was partisan and so is the reaction to a Senate committee's approval of the federal budget backed by the Obama administration.
The vote was 13-10 to approve the spending plan. Democrats beat back Republican attempts to cut spending.
The plan calls for spending of $3.5 trillion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, and assumes a deficit of $1.2 trillion. It includes increases for hundreds of domestic programs and clears the way for major legislation later in the year on President Barack Obama's priorities of health care, energy and education.
Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions called the plan "the most irresponsible budget in the history of the Republic." But Senate Republicans aren't offering an alternative. That spares them the need to make politically difficult choices.
House Republicans issued an 18-page booklet that they say paves the way for economic recovery. It included few specific proposals.