Dems still looking for path on spending

Competing Republican and Democratic plans to cut discretionary spending and fund the remainder of the fiscal year failed to pass on Wednesday, a development that Democrats hope will at last refocus negotiators to find middle ground.

But the GOP unity in the votes appeared more likely to fuel Republican unwillingness to split the difference with Democrats.

"This gives momentum to the view that we don't just split the baby," Senate Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., said on Wednesday of the votes.

Both bids needed 60 votes to pass. The Republican plan, which went down 56-44 with three Republicans joining all Democrats in opposing the bill, would cut $57 billion from current spending levels and keep the government operating through the end of the fiscal year, September 30. The only GOP defections came from the right, with Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Jim DeMint, R-S.C., voting against the bill because it was insufficiently aggressive in attacking the deficit.

The measure, which was drafted by House Republicans and passed that chamber last month, also includes a number of policy riders, including several provisions to defund the Affordable Care Act and language stripping funds for Planned Parenthood.

The Democratic alternative-which failed, 42-58, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans against the measure-would cut $4.7 billion from current levels.

Two of those "no" votes were from Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Carl Levin, D-Mich.

The government is currently operating on a stopgap funding measure that runs through March 18. Another short-term extension might be needed if an agreement for the remainder of fiscal 2011 cannot be reached by then, but Senate Democratic leaders have signaled opposition to another extension in an effort to keep the pressure on.

After the votes, Democrats said that the results showed that they are ready to start serious talks to find middle ground, and Republicans should be, too.

"With this vote out of the way, we are going to do some serious negotiations now," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "This paves the way to get something done."

His comments came as Democrats have started urging Republicans to allow other parts of the budget to be part of the deficit reduction debate, such as mandatory spending and closing tax loopholes for oil and gas exploration, which they argue are not needed.

"Our goal is to fund the government for the rest of this year, and in the 'out years,' this isn't just for the next few weeks; we are going to try to get a universal deal and do something for the good for the country" Reid said.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who heads the Senate Democrats' policy and communications office, played down the fact that 11 Democrats voted against the Democratic alternative.

"The overwhelming message here is that the House bill is not going to pass the Senate, and they ought to start negotiating," Schumer said.

"We know that our bill isn't a finished product; they have been acting like their bill is," Schumer continued. "My view, [and] I think it is the view generally of the Democratic caucus, is that the only way you'll get both deficit reduction and real job growth is not focusing solely on domestic discretionary, even though there have to be cuts there."

Schumer conceded that finishing funding for fiscal 2011 might have to come first before the discussion on other parts of the budget can begin. "I think it's likely that we try to finish 2011 first, but you can use the model [of broader budget talks] to try to solve 2011 as well."

Also, it's not clear if the White House is supportive of the Senate Democrats' efforts to broaden the debate.

Asked if a deal on fiscal 2011 had to be completed before broadening the debate, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday that "I don't think that anyone thinks between now and March 18 we will resolve entitlement reform, tax expenditures, and all the other issues that go into a much bigger deal. But the elements that would go into a fiscal year 2011 agreement I don't want to negotiate from here."

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said Republicans had unified their members, with moderates such as Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, and Scott Brown of Massachusetts backing the bill despite objections to parts of it. "I suspect we all have some questions," Kyl said. "I know I do."

Kyl said the GOP conference was unified by arguing that doing so sent a message that Republicans back serious cuts.

Kyl noted that Republicans avoided moderate defections even though the vote came on the bill itself, rather than cloture on a motion to proceed to the bill.

He said the knowledge that Democrats would provide the votes to defeat the bill probably made it easier for Republicans concerned about the bill to support it.