Senate Democrats plan budget debate

WASHINGTON — Incoming Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray says Democrats controlling the chamber will attempt to pass a budget for the first time since 2009.

The Washington Democrat says the measure will call upon the wealthy to pay their “fair share” in taxes and defend programs for senior citizens and middle-class families.

Democrats have come under assault from Republicans for failing to pass budgets, prompting the House to propose withholding pay for either House or Senate members if the chamber in which they serve fails to pass a budget plan. This was an attachment to an unrelated measure to permit the government to borrow money for another three months to meet its obligations.

That measure is set to pass the House Wednesday and Senate Democrats are likely to accept it.