WASHINGTON — Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk of Illinois cast opposite votes today as the bipartisan budget compromise overcame a preliminary hurdle.
The Senate voted 67-33 to end debate on the budget bill so senators could move to a final vote on the measure. Durbin, a Democrat, voted yes on the measure to end debate, while Kirk, a Republican, voted no.
Despite the Illinois split, the measure got some bipartisan support. At least 60 votes were needed to end debate, and the Senate has 55 lawmakers who caucus with the Democrats.
Kirk, back in the Senate after undergoing surgery last week to have his gall bladder removed, explained his “no” vote with a tweet: “I voted against the budget plan because it raises spending now in exchange for the hope of future cuts.”
Kirk’s roll call vote Tuesday was his first since his surgery on Dec. 9.
Kirk, 54, missed 32 roll call votes that occurred from Dec. 10 to Monday, records show. He had cast all of the 246 roll call votes this year leading up to his operation, Kirk spokesman Lance Trover said.
Twitter: @KatherineSkiba
