Senate up after GOP-led House passes conservative budget to erase red ink, cut trillions

The Senate is up next.

Senate Republicans will try to pass their own budget after House Republicans pushed through a boldly conservative plan that achieves balance in a decade while cutting deeply into programs for the poor.

The House plan passed on a party-line vote of 228-199. Senate Republicans are expected to follow with their version late Thursday or early Friday, after hours of votes on amendments.

Both versions increase defense spending, but some defense hawks in the Senate are calling for more.

Rules governing budget debate in the Senate require only a majority vote, not the 60-vote margin usually needed, giving Republican leaders some maneuvering room.

The House plan turns Medicare into a voucher program while the Senate version does not.