In a test vote today, despite last-ditch efforts by Republicans to strip a provision that cuts military retiree benefits, the Senate bill will move forward following a 67-33 vote. A final vote is expected to take place no later than Wednesday where the vote will only require 51 votes for final passage. If the package is passed it will go to President Obama’s desk which would likely take a threat of a partial government shutdown next month off the table.
Most Republican senators, including GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, opposed the bill, objecting to increased spending levels as well as a provision that reduces military retiree benefits. Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions called the provision “unthinkable,” and tried to undo those cuts with an amendment filed late Monday to restore the money while several other senators also objected. “It’s unacceptable to single out our men and women in uniform in this way,” said Senator Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina said, “Nobody wants to shut down the government, but here’s the question: Is the choice between keeping the government open and screwing all the military retirees, is that the right choice?”
The provision would cut retirement benefits for present and future military retirees by $6 billion over 10 years while other current federal retirees remain ‘untouched’ by the bill.
Unlike the House where Speaker John Boehner aggressively battled conservative groups trying to kill the bill, several GOP leaders in the senate opposed the package. However, late breaking endorsements from several other GOP senators helped lift the budget bill over the 60-vote hurdle. Three GOP senators – Orrin Hatch of Utah, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia – also announced that they would vote yes. A fourth, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin had expressed his support on Sunday. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona also said they would vote in favor. In the end, 12 GOP senators voted to advance the bill while the Democratic caucus held together in support of the package.
The measure would ease for two years some of the toughest cuts to agency budgets required under automatic spending curbs known as the sequestration. It would replace $45 billion in scheduled cuts for the 2014 budget year already underway, easing about half of the scheduled cuts.