Vermont congressional delegation votes against budget resolution

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The three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation were on the losing side of Thursday’s close vote on the 2006 federal budget resolution. Congressman Bernie Sanders and Senators Jim Jeffords and Patrick Leahy voted against the $2.6 trillion spending plan.

The House passed the measure 214 to 211 on a party-line vote. The Senate supported it with a vote of 52 to 47.

The budget blueprint makes significant cuts in Medicaid and calls on lawmakers to freeze or shrink spending in many other domestic programs, including federal pension programs and agriculture.

In a statement on Friday, Congressman Sanders called the budget “disgraceful.” Jeffords agreed, saying he’s “appalled by the irresponsibility” of the tax cuts included in the measure. Jeffords called the spending plan a “Sheriff of Nottingham budget,” saying it takes from the poor and gives to the rich.

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