The close vote was a big victory for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who had to overcome large differences within their caucus to push the resolution through.
Centrist Sens. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) were all non-committal up until the end…
Had the budget failed, it would have been a significant setback for the Democrats and raised questions about the party’s ability to govern…
Vulnerable Senate Democrats Mary Landrieu (La.), Mark Warner (Va.) and Tim Johnson (S.D.) could pay the price in the 2014 elections for supporting the budget, however. The Democrats who voted “no” on the overall budget could be hurt in next year’s campaign season by numerous controversial budget amendments and motions, including by voting against one calling for a balanced budget by 2023.
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