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Thursday, May 17, 2007
Congress Approves FY 2008 Budget Resolution
As expected, Congress adopted a budget resolution for FY 2008 this afternoon. The House voted 214-209, with 13 Democrats crossing sides to oppose it. The Senate margin was larger, 52-40; Maine Sens. Collins (R) and Snowe (R) were the only GOP defectors. Seven Republicans and one Democrats did not vote.
This is a significant development. Not only has the 110th Congress come up with a budget where last year's GOP-controlled Congress could not, despite working with a Republican president. It also demonstrates that the Democrats can operate with sufficient discipline to govern, in spite of whisker-thin margins. In practical terms, it means that the frame of reference or working blueprint for the government's spending will be a Congressional product, not a presidential one.
Posted by Dana Chasin
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