Dem's Stop GOP Senate Filibuster
Senate Democrats just voted 60 to 34 to close off debate on a a $446.8 billion dollar omnibus spending bill that is to cover Justice and State Department spending as well as others agencies. The 59th and 60th votes were cast by Senator Byrd and Senator Lieberman. The bill finances almost 50% of the federal government and will increase funding for the agencies covered by the bill by 10%. The end of the Republican filibuster was delayed as Democrats had to wait for the 92 year Byrd, who has been ailing, to arrive to cast his vote. Lieberman, who is an Orthodox Jew and normally does not work on the Jewish Sabbath, nor does he drive on Saturday in honor of the Sabbath, walked the 3 miles from his synagogue to the capital, delaying the vote for another 50 minutes. All but three Republicans opposed the spending bill citing wasteful spending on domestic agencies during a time of war. There were three Democrats, Senator's Evan Bayh, Russell Fein...