GOP Blocks Omnibus Bill

Bad news for Obama and the Democrats: Senate Republicans late Thursday night blocked a $410 billion omnibus spending measure. Critics of earmarks, including Sen. John McCain, had criticized the bill, which the administration called "last year's business" because it "represented the balance of former President George W. Bush's final budget," The New York Times reports. Democrats apparently miscalculated, believing they had the 60 Senate votes necessary to avoid a filibuster, only to announce the measure was stalled. Now they must put together at stop-gap budget resolution to keep the federal government running past Tuesday; the omnibus bill is likely to pass next week after Republicans are allowed to offer additional amendments.