A Senate panel has cleared a Republican spending blueprint along party lines, including additional money to boost the Pentagon budget.
The Senate Budget Committee’s 10-12 vote followed a series of amendments, including one from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to increase funding for the Overseas Contingency Operations, which is not offset by other cuts to the budget.
The extra money is also included in the House GOP spending plan.
Both the House and Senate plan to debate and vote on their respective budgets next week before departing for a two-week recess.
They’ll work to reconcile the two plans in mid-April.
The Senate plan would balance the budget in ten years, making $5.1 billion in federal spending reductions over a decade.
Lawmakers approved the additional military money along party lines, with proponents arguing the extra funds are needed to battle increased terrorism threats worldwide.
Critics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said the money should be offset.
“What we are looking at now, undisputedly, is a total budget gimmick,” Sanders said.
