The Hill, December 17, 2013
"To offset the
restored sequester cuts, the bill would reduce federal employee retirement
benefits by $6 billion. Military retiree benefits are also cut by $6 billion."
The Senate on Tuesday advanced a two-year budget deal in a
67-33 vote, setting the measure up for final passage.
Twelve Senate Republicans joined all 55 Democrats and
Independents on Tuesday to advance the bipartisan budget deal approved in a
landslide House vote last week. President Obama also supports the measure.
The bill sets top-line spending levels for 2014 and 2015 and
reduces the sequester spending cuts by $63 billion over the next two years.
Despite opposition from conservative groups such as the Club
for Growth and Heritage Action, GOP Sens. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Hoeven
(N.D.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn. ), Rob Portman (Ohio ), Roy Blunt (Mo. ),
John McCain (Ariz. ), Johnny Isakson (Ga. ), Orrin Hatch (Utah ),
Susan Collins (Maine ), Jeff Flake (Ariz. ), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska )
and Ron Johnson (Wis. )
voted to end debate on the measure.
The rest of the GOP conference, including Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell (Ken.), who faces a tough reelection race next year, voted
against it.
Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla. ),
Ted Cruz (Texas )
and Rand Paul (Ken.) all voted no.
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