The Senate approved a slightly amended budget reconciliation spending bill this evening by a vote of 52 - 47. The Senate considered 20 amendments throughout the day and adopted three of them before the vote on final passage. The bill would cut $39.1 billion from entitlement spending. Realizing the cuts within the bill represent the wrong priorities for the country, five Republicans voted against the final bill (DeWine, Chafee, Collins, Coleman, and Snowe). These Senators should be commended for the integrity and courage it took to vote down this bill against their party leadership and thanked for their votes. Two Democrats voted in favor of the bill - Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA) and Sen. Ben Nelson (NE). Along with the citizens in the states of the other 50 Republicans who supported the measure, the constituents of these two Democratic Senators should demand an explaination of their votes. The House will consider their version of the budget resolution on the floor next week. Amendments Adopted: Wyden Amendment (ANWR) Bingaman Amendment (Medicaid) Lott Amendment (Amtrak)