A bid by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) to ban the practice of earmarking for one year measure failed on a vote of 29-71. The amendment fell on a procedural vote after a point of order, which required 60 votes to waive, was raised against it because it was ruled "non-germane" to the budget resolution. Presidential candidates John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama all voted in favor of the amendment. Other than Clinton and Obama, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) the only Democrat to support the measure. GOP Senator were split, 26-23. The House GOP alternative budget resolution, which was defeated, also called for a moratorium on earmarks, removing them from the baseline spending totals for 2009. CNN story.