美国参议院通过了一项三万亿美元财政预算计划。民主党控制的参议院星期五早些时候以51票对44票通过了这项议案。参议员基本依照所属党派的立场投了自己的票。财政预算作为一份蓝图，指导国会为今年10月开始的2009财政年度通过各项开支法案。参议院通过的决议必须与众议院通过的相关预算法案相协调。
在参议院法案中，参议员拒绝了对议员专项拨款实行一年禁令的条款。议员专项拨款指为某些议员所青睐的项目做出的特别拨款。预计将获得共和党总统候选人提名的麦凯恩参议员呼吁禁止议员专项拨款。参议院还批准延续布什总统减税计划的某些内容，包括为贫困的工薪阶层减税，但不为较富裕的美国人减税。
The U.S. Senate has approved a three-trillion dollar budget plan. The Democratic-controlled Senate approved the measure early Friday by a vote of 51-44, mostly along party lines. The budget blueprint will guide Congress as it passes spending bills for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins in October. The Senate resolution must be reconciled with a similar budget plan approved by the House of Representatives.
In the Senate plan, lawmakers rejected a one year ban on earmarks — spending allocations for projects favored by specific members of Congress. Presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain had called for the ban on earmarks.
The Senate also approved the continuation of some of President Bush’s tax cuts, including one for the working poor, but not for wealthier Americans.