The U.S. Senate has invoked cloture on the Murray-Ryan budget deal, clearing the way for passage of the measure later this week. A total of 67 senators voted for cloture, including 12 Republicans; 33 voted against it.
This essentially assures final passage of the measure, which will set spending levels for the next two fiscal years. The good news is that there will be a slight increase in spending in the short-term and a government shutdown will be prevented.
The bad news is that the budget bill fails to address unemployment benefits, and as a result, 1.3 million Americans who currently receive emergency unemployment benefits will have their benefits cut at the end of the year.
7:35 AM PT:
12 GOP Yea votes on budget cloture vote:
Alexander
Blunt
Chambliss
Collins
Flake
Hatch
Hoeven
Isakson
Ron Johnson
McCain
Murkowski
Portman
— @frankthorpNBC
7:39 AM PT: LOL.