Senate Waives Budgetary Procedure

The Senate voted 56-40 to waive Section 303 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 which requires the Senate to have ratified the Federal annual budget before ratifying any appropriations bills sent to them by the House. In April the House passed then sent H Con Res 34, the Ryan Budget, to the Senate, but they have yet to vote on it. Presently, the Senate is considering ratification of HR 2055, which makes appropriations for military construction, funding the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for FY 2012.

In effect, the Senate is trying to spend taxpayer money before considering how much will be taken in, and without deciding first how to allocate expected revenues to various departments and agencies.

Three Republican Senators, Brown (MA), Cochran (MS), and Kirk (IL) joined all Democrats in voting for the waiver. Senator Hatch (UT) was not present, but it was noted by his aide that he would have voted for the waiver.

Senate Rejects Ryan Budget Plan

The Senate voted 57-40 against consideration of H. Con. Res. 34, establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021, popularly known as the Ryan Budget Plan. The House had previously passed the measure in April by a vote of 235-193.

All Republicans voted for consideration except for Scott Brown (MA), Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), and Olympia Snowe (ME).