Senate narrowly passes budget resolution

By one vote, the United States Senate was able to pass its first budget in four years.

The 50-49 vote includes $1 trillion in new revenue by closing some tax loopholes on the wealthy. The passage is largely symbolic, since the vote was for a non-binding resolution that will no doubt clash with the budget resolution to be passed by the Republican-majority House of Representatives.

Even so, getting something done that was impossible for four years is an accomplishment of some sort.

“I’m proud of the work we did on the Budget Committee to develop a balanced plan that will spur economic growth while putting us on a path to replacing harmful sequester cuts and responsibly reducing our deficit,” said U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a member of the Senate Budget Committee.

“I was pleased to join my colleagues in voting for its passage out of the Senate. After four years without a Senate budget, today’s vote is a significant step in our return to regular order and a more functional Congress. It’s my hope that as we begin negotiations with the House, both sides will leave politics at the door in favor of reaching an agreement that will both stabilize our nation’s finances and give families and businesses in Virginia and across the country the certainty they deserve. It’s time we put an end once and for all to governing by crisis,” Kaine said,