Dems lack Sanders vote on budget deal

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has not committed to supporting the new House-Senate budget deal.

An aide said that the liberal member is angry that Congress is set to adjourn for the year without extending unemployment insurance (UI) benefits that expire Dec. 28.  

{mosads}Senate Democrats need 60 votes to end debate on Tuesday and move to a final vote on the budget, but can’t count on much GOP support. That makes it important to win over every one of the 55 senators who caucus with Democrats. 

Five Republicans — Sens. Ron Johnson (Wis.), Richard Burr (N.C.), John McCain (Ariz.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine.) — have said they will vote to end debate. 

Democratic leaders expect they will get all 53 Democrats to support a motion to end debate on the budget, according to a leadership aide. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) also praised the deal last week. 

That leaves Sanders as the lone possible defection on the cloture motion. 

Sanders last week issued a statement praising the deal for not cutting entitlement benefits like Medicare and Social Security, but as of Monday he has not said whether he would support a motion to end debate, according to an aide. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has promised to deal with jobless benefits in January, and some Democrats have talked about using farm bill savings to foot the $25 billion bill.  

The budget deal is must-pass legislation, and there may be little leverage Democrats can use in January to renew the UI benefits. 

Any pressure Sanders can exert could quickly evaporate if more Republicans get on board with cloture. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) appeared open to ending debate even if he is against the policy in the bill.

For the final vote, Democrats will only need a majority of members. Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) have not publicly committed to backing the bill.

Liberal Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who also has been concerned about the expiration of jobless benefits, will vote for the budget deal, her office confirmed Monday.

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who negotiated the budget deal with Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) is calling Senate Republicans and urging them to vote for the deal, which passed the House 332 to 94.

“Chairman Ryan remains hard at work to cut spending in a smarter way. He is confident the Senate will build on the overwhelming vote in the House and approve the agreement,” spokesman William Allison said Monday.