Senate Advances Budget Resolution to Implement Trump’s Agenda

The U.S. Senate on April 3 voted to move forward on a budget resolution to implement President Donald Trump’s agenda. In a 52–48 vote, senators approved a motion to proceed on the budget resolution, unveiled by Senate Budget Committee chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on April 2. The vote followed an hours-long delay as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Republican leaders sought to lock in enough support to advance the resolution. With 53 seats in the lower chamber, Thune could spare up to three defections. Ultimately, one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), voted against the motion. The motion is a required step under the reconciliation process, which allows for measures related to taxing, spending, and the national debt to bypass the normal 60-vote filibuster requirement attached to most bills in the Senate....