Senate about to vote on extending bush tax cuts?

[sasha031]

Breaking: Senate Set to Vote on Republican Budget Shortly
According to The National Journal, the Senate is expected to vote today on Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget that not only permanently extends the Bush tax cuts—but gives even more tax cuts to Wall Street and the wealthy—and pays for them by slashing services for seniors, children and low- and middle-income working families.

The House Republican budget bill would destroy Medicare as we know it and replace it with underfunded vouchers—a dangerous move even former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich called “right-wing social engineering.” When Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) announced he’d vote “no,” on the Ryan budget, he pointed out his fear that “as health inflation rises, the cost of private plans will outgrow the government premium support—and the elderly will be forced to pay ever higher deductibles and co-pays.”
http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/05/25/breaking-senate-set-to-vote-on-republican-budget-shortly/

[hwmnbn]

1. here's the live feed on the roll call vote..

http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN2/

[sufrommich]

2. It's starting right now. nt

[kentuck]

3. Put their sorry lying asses on record.

Some may feel safe because they don't have to run for re-election until four more years. But this vote will not be forgotten.

[notadmblnd]

4. I'm not hearing any replies when their names are called

Doesn't the name caller usually repeat aye or nay when voting takes place in the Senate?

[hwmnbn]

5. Isn't there usually a tally board visible ...

when votes are taken?

[notadmblnd]

9. yeah, that too.

[hwmnbn]

6. Seems like it's along party lines...

with 4 exceptions so far...

Brown, Murkowski, Snowe, and one other repubs voting no with dems

[hwmnbn]

10. Brown, Snowe are up for re-election..

I missed the fourth one

[hwmnbn]

Ryan plan goes down.. 57 no, 40 ayes

[jtrockville]

8. How many of those 40 are up for re-election in 2012?

[hwmnbn]

11. according to Kos...

The Ryan budget plan just failed by a vote of 40 in favor and 57 opposed. Senate Republicans voting "NO":

Scott Brown
Susan Collins
Lisa Murkowski
Rand Paul
Olympia Snowe

Dick Lugar and Orrin Hatch, both facing potential primary armageddon from teabaggers, both voted in favor of eliminating Medicare. No Democrats defected.

[jtrockville]

12. These are the "Class I" republican senators (up for re-election)

These republican senators are up for re-election in 2012 according to senate.gov (I highlighted the "YES" votes):

Barrasso, John - (R - WY)
Brown, Scott P. - (R - MA)
Corker, Bob - (R - TN)
Hatch, Orrin G. - (R - UT)
Heller, Dean - (R - NV)
Hutchison, Kay Bailey - (R - TX)
Kyl, Jon - (R - AZ)
Lugar, Richard G. - (R - IN)
Snowe, Olympia J. - (R - ME)
Wicker, Roger F. - (R - MS)

Hutchison and Kyl aren't seeking re-election, according to senate.gov

Gotta wonder what the other 6 were thinking.

[gratuitous]

7. Watch the Republicans scurry away

They've really put themselves between the proverbial rock and hard place. On the one hand, it's become apparent that the Ryan Scheme is fiscal insanity. It won't cut the deficit, it won't cut spending, and indeed is far worse for the economy than doing nothing. On the other hand, the Republican leadership in the House has made the Ryan Scheme the new litmus test of party loyalty. That test, coupled with the early anointment of the Ryan Scheme as The Only Serious Plan for Balancing the Budget by the all Wise Men of Washington, have made it de rigeur for Republicans to vote for it. Any Republican who doesn't step up to slash his own political wrists and vote in favor of the Ryan Scheme, will face dedicated opposition from the Kook Squad aka the Tea Baggers.

It's just so very sad to see how badly the Republicans have fucked themselves. Wait, is "sad" the word I want?