WASHINGTON — Year-end legislation to ease Congress’ chronic budget brinkmanship and soften across-the-board spending cuts moved to the cusp of final passage Tuesday, a rare display of Senate bipartisanship that masked strong Republican complaints about slicing into military retirement benefits.
The measure is expected to clear the Senate and go to President Barack Obama for his signature Wednesday, marking a modest accomplishment at the end of a year punctuated by a partial government shutdown, a near-default by the U.S. Treasury and congressional gridlock on issues ranging from immigration to gun control.
“This bipartisan bill takes the first steps toward rebuilding our broken budget process. And, hopefully, toward rebuilding our broken Congress,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who negotiated the compromise with Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
The first major test of that is likely to come in February, when Congress faces a vote to raise the government’s debt limit.
Tuesday’s vote to send the measure toward final approval was 67-33, with Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet joining all their fellow Democrats.
But Republicans vowed that the requirement for curtailing growth in cost-of-living benefits for military retirees under age 62 wouldn’t long survive. The Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, has said the panel will review the change, estimated to trim $6.3 billion, early next year.
“This provision is absolutely wrong; it singles out our military retirees,” protested Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., at a news conference shortly before the vote.
A proposal aimed at removing the provision failed on a near party-line vote of 54-46. Democrat Kay Hagan of North Carolina, who faces a difficult challenge for re-election, was the only senator to switch sides.
“How could any commander in chief sign a bill that does this?” asked Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who also faces a primary challenge.
The legislation easily the GOP-led House last week.
Rather than reaching for a so-called grand bargain to reduce long-term deficits, lawmakers decided to reduce across-the-board cuts already scheduled to take effect, restoring about $63 billion over two years. The legislation includes a projected $85 billion in savings elsewhere.
How Colorado voted
Sen. Mark Udall, D: Yes
Sen. Michael Bennet, D: Yes
