Senate Shuts Down Ryan Budget

Another strike against Rep. Paul Ryan's budget: The Democratic-controlled Senate forced a vote on the Republicans' fiscal plan Wednesday, with the measure rejected by a 40-57 vote and the GOP caucus split on the issue. Five Republicans—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins of Maine, and Rand Paul of Kentucky—opposed the plan, which had already cleared the House with the support of almost every Republican. The most controversial provision of Ryan's budget would turn Medicare into a voucher system. Tuesday night, Democrat Kathy Hochul won a House seat in a red-leaning New York district in part by attacking her Republican opponent for supporting Ryan's plan.