The Cromnibus passed the majority Democratic lameduck Senate 56-40 on Saturday. You've probably already heard a bit about a few of the disgusting provisions included. I'm sure there are a lot more nifty surprises wrapped in this turd. Why did a majority of both Democrats and Republicans combine to pass this "bipartisan compromise"? More specifically which Democrats voted for it, and why?
Well Chris Murphy's press release referenced Ebola...along with defense contractor pork for Connecticut AND his new Appropriations seat:
For one, the bill appropriates billions of dollars to fight Ebola here and overseas—funding that is nothing short of critical to combat this public health nightmare. If this bill fails, the U.S. cannot fight Ebola effectively.
http://www.murphy.senate.gov/...
Here is a terrific new tool called Vote Cruncher breaking down this and other Congressional votes by party, ideology, geographic region, presidential vote margin in the jurisdiction, legislative committee membership, etc.
http://votecruncher.com/...
In general, the left wing of the Democratic party and the right wing of the GOP joined in opposing this bill. No doubt Senators had disparate reasons for choosing to vote for or against.
I think it is important to note that on a bill supported by just 56% of the Senate, 77% of the Appropriations committee voted Yea, as well as all 3 incoming Democratic members of that committee (Murphy, Baldwin, and Schatz), whose committee seats were announced the day the vote was originally scheduled. Each of those 3 (based on their overall liberalism as measured by DW-Nominate) could reasonably be expected based on ideology to be among the Nay votes on the Democratic side of the aisle. Only 6 of 22 Senators more liberal than Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid voted Yes. 5 of the 6 are either currently on Appropriations or among these 3 who are joining it. The 6th is on the Finance committee.
Appropriations is a widely sought seat. As Murphy notes:
Joining the Appropriations Committee has been a priority for me since I joined the Senate, and I'm honored to have won a slot in just my third year here.
http://www.murphy.senate.gov/...
Baldwin makes the case a bit less baldly after referencing pork for Wisconsin and some progressive sweeteners with which the bill was also larded:
If this bill did not pass now, Republicans would have had the power to add more objectionable provisions when they will hold majorities in both the House and Senate next year.
“I supported this bipartisan compromise because I believe it is our job to deliver progress for American people, not an endless drift from one crisis to the next or a government shutdown.”
http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/...