DEVELOPMENTS
— A comprehensive defense policy bill that aims to deal with the epidemic of sexual assault in the military is on track for Senate passage next week. Leading members of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday that they expect the Senate to wrap up the popular, bipartisan legislation before the Senate adjourns. A vote is likely on Wednesday.
— The Senate approved several more of President Barack Obama’s nominees as it wrapped up a week of near round-the-clock confirmation votes. The Senate cleared Heather Anne Higginbottom to serve as a deputy secretary of state after approving Deborah Lee James as Air Force secretary. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Republicans have agreed to delay other votes that were expected through the weekend. Republicans had forced the Senate to stay in session to clear several, mostly noncontroversial nominees after Democrats changed Senate filibuster procedures.
— Obama will deliver his next State of the Union address on Jan. 28. The White House on Friday accepted the request from House Speaker John Boehner. By tradition, the speaker invites the president to deliver his annual message.
News services
One day after winning lopsided House approval, bipartisan legislation to ease across-the-board spending cuts appears likely to command the 60 votes necessary to clear the Senate, officials in both parties said Friday.
Yet unlike in the House, significantly more Senate Republicans are expected to oppose the legislation than vote for it, highlighting the different political forces at work at opposite ends of the Capitol.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced a test vote for Tuesday on the measure, which cleared the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 332-94.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars joined the ranks of the bill’s opponents during the day, citing a provision to reduce cost of living increases for military retirees until they reach age 62. The result could mean “a cumulative loss in retirement income of $80,000” for a sergeant first class who retires at age 40, the group said.
“Although Iraq is over and the war in Afghanistan is winding down, we can’t allow Congress to dismantle the programs they created over the past 12 years,” said William A. Thien, the VFW’s national commander.
Overall, the legislation erases a total of $63 billion in across-the-board cuts in the next two budget years, and specifies $85 billion in savings over a decade. The result is a net $23 billion cut in deficits through 2023, although critics argue the spending increases will happen first, and many of the savings years later, if at all.
By raising spending levels, the bill is also designed to eliminate the threat of another budget shutdown like the one this fall.
Senate supporters will need 60 votes to advance the bill, and even some opponents predicted that was likely to happen.
“My sense is that the procedural issues could be overcome and there could be just” a yes or no vote, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who added he intends to oppose the measure because it increases spending.
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., also told reporters he will join in making sure the measure gets 60 votes needed to advance to a final vote, even though he is inclined to oppose the bill on final passage.
Speaking privately, several GOP congressional aides said most if not all rank-and-file Republicans were strongly inclined to oppose the legislation, in part because it would raise spending in the short-term in exchange for longer-range savings they say may not materialize.
Tea party-aligned groups and challengers they are supporting in primaries against incumbent Republicans are expected to turn lawmakers’ support for the agreement into a campaign issue.
Many Republican senators face primary challengers, and, none of those senators has announced an intention to vote for the legislation.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking GOP leader, who drew a primary opponent earlier in the week, is “concerned about reversing spending cuts,” said a spokeswoman, Megan Mitchell.
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, is widely expected to oppose the bill, but has not yet announced a public position.
His primary opponent, Matt Bevin, hasn’t been as reticent. He opposes the legislation, and said of the incumbent: “Instead of leading, he is dodging a major issue while waiting to see which way the political winds are blowing.”
Three other Senate Republicans mentioned as potential presidential contenders in 2016, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas, are opposed to the bill.
About the Author
