Senate Votes Against Community Block Cuts

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted Thursday to block President Bush's proposal to cut community block grants for cities.

"These are things that work," said Sen. Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican who sponsored the measure. "Let's change and reshape the things that don't work
...
Coleman's budget amendment, which passed the Senate 66-32, would maintain spending levels and keep the block grant program in HUD.

The vote came after a similar amendment by Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., failed on a 50-50 vote. That amendment was opposed by more Republicans because it did not call for offsetting savings in other areas, as Coleman's amendment did.

In the end, all 42 Democrats present voted for Coleman's amendment, along with one independent and 23 Republicans, while 32 Republicans opposed it.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-community-grants,0,6488638.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[barbaraann]

1. Woo Hoo!

This is really good news, especially that 23 Republicans voted with the Dems!