UPDATED: ROLL CALL VOTED added – Ugh: Senate passes fiscal cliff bill 89-8 after 2AM on New Year’s Day

I couldn’t believe that I was watching the Senate floor LIVE after 2AM on New Year’s Day. I was just about to go to bed until I found out the Senate had just voted for the fiscal cliff bill. Ugh. So here’s my first post for 2013.

The 8 Senators to vote against the fiscal cliff bill were Bennett D-CO, Carper D-DE, Grassley R-IA, Harkin D-IA, Lee R-UT, Paul R-KY, Rubio R-FL, Shelby R-AL.

Here’s the lowdown on it:

WAPO – The White House-backed legislation would prevent middle-class taxes from rising, and raise rates on incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples.

It also blocks spending cuts for two months, extends unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless, prevents a 27 percent cut in fees for doctors who treat Medicare patients and prevents a spike in milk prices.

A last-minute addition would also prevent a $900 pay raise for members of Congress from taking effect in March.

I should note that those spending cuts blocked are defense cuts…otherwise known as sequestration.

The House votes later today when the come back in session.

UPDATE: Jeff Poor tweets out Richard Shelby’s statement on voting against the fiscal cliff legislation:

UPDATE 2: Full roll call vote for the Senate here.


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