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              US Senate Passes Budget, Setting Up Fight With Obama

   by VOA News

   The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that proposes deep cuts to the
   federal budget, setting up a fight between congressional Republicans
   and Democratic President Barack Obama.

   At an all-night session that lasted until early Friday, senators passed
   their version of a balanced budget plan that proposes $5.1 trillion in
   spending cuts over the next decade. Much of the savings would come by
   cutting health care, and funding for the military would increase.

   The Senate 2016 budget plan is similar to one approved earlier this
   week by the House of Representatives that would balance the budget in
   nine years. The two Republican-controlled bodies will work out the
   differences between the proposals in two weeks when a congressional
   recess ends.

   The Republican plans are likely to be opposed by President Obama, who
   in February put forward a nearly $4 trillion budget that would raise
   taxes and spend large amounts on improving U.S. infrastructure.

   However, Obama's and the Republicans' plans were similar when it comes
   to defense spending.

   Senate lawmakers also approved dozens of other non-binding and
   non-budget-related amendments during the marathon, 15-hour session.
   Many of the amendments considered during the session - referred to as a
   "Vote-a-rama" - are meant to focus attention to a particular cause or
   force individual lawmakers to take a position on controversial issues.

   Before leaving for their two-week recess, the Senate also delayed
   action on a bill to restructure the way in which physicians are
   reimbursed under Medicare, a national social insurance plan.
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   ght-with-obama/2696543.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-senate-passes-budget-setting-up-fight-with-obama/2696543.html