The House and Senate successfully passed their versions of the FY 2009 budget resolution yesterday. The House passed their spending outline on a mostly party-line vote 212 - 207 and the Senate passed their version early this morning 51 - 44 (roll call not available yet). Sixteen Democrats in the House opposed the budget along with all Republicans and in the Senate, Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) supported the budget, while Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) opposed it. The House and Senate versions are similar in a number of areas, but the House blueprint is more fiscally responsible - strictly adhering to PAYGO rules by requiring offsets for mandatory spending increases and any additional tax cuts - particularly offsetting changes to the alternative minimum tax. Way to go House of Representatives! There were tons of amendments in the Senate all through the day and night on key fiscal issues. We'll be dissecting the amendments and votes throughout the day today here on the BudgetBlog. Stay tuned!