(Bloomberg) -- The Senate adopted a fiscal 2016 budget that calls for $5.1 trillion in spending cuts to achieve balance in 10 years, while avoiding proposals to partially privatize Medicare as many Republicans brace for re-election.
In the 52-46 vote Friday, Senate Republicans, who control the chamber for the first time in eight years, persuaded enough of their members to back a compromise fiscal blueprint to avoid the embarrassment of a failed vote.
Republicans, with a 54-46 Senate majority, could afford only three defections to adopt the budget. Presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz, of Texas, and potential 2016 contender, Senator Rand Paul, of Kentucky cast the only Republican votes against the budget. That action came after the Senate voted in a marathon session on dozens of politically charged amendments that are sure to become campaign fodder.
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