Senate

Senators split on Medicare budget amendments

by Jordain Carney - 03/25/15 6:40 PM ET

Senators blocked a Democrat-led Medicare amendment Wednesday from being included in the budget, but passed a Republican amendment on the health plan.

Senators voted 46-53 on procedural motion, after Democrats tried to override the decision of Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) to block the Dems’ amendment.

{mosads}The amendment would require any legislation that privatizes Medicare, turns it into a premium support plan, cuts benefits or increases out-of-pocket spending to meet a “point of order” that requires 60 votes for passage.

Senators passed a separate Medicare amendment from Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) by voice vote. Hatch’s legislation would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund, a budgetary placeholder, on protecting Medicare.

Tags Mike Enzi Orrin Hatch