Senate Democrats overcame a Republican filibuster to clear the way for a vote Sunday on a huge end-of-year $1.1 trillion spending bill that includes money to run much of the government and pay for Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

The spending measure gives the Education Department, the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services and others generous budget increases far exceeding inflation.

On Saturday, the Democratic controlled Senate voted 60-34 to end the GOP filibuster that threatened to hold up the legislation. A final vote was set for Sunday afternoon whether to send the measure to President Barack Obama.

Democrats held Saturday’s vote open for an hour to accommodate Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an Orthodox Jew who walked more than three miles to the Capitol to vote on the Sabbath after attending services at his synagogue. Lieberman, wearing a black wool overcoat and bright orange scarf, finally provided the crucial 60th vote.

Source/Full Story: Yahoo! News

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