After a long night, Senate votes for biennial budget process

Less than five hours into the much-heralded, lengthy and sometimes dull "vote-a-rama" on the 2014 budget, senators voted overwhelmingly that they should produce a budget every two years, not every year.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) offered an amendment to the budget calling for the creation of a biennial budget and appropriations process. He suggested that in odd years, Congress pass budgets, and that in even years, Congress do budget oversight work.

"This is a process that's been asked for by every president since Ronald Reagan through our current president today," Isakson said.

The vote split both parties, but the Senate approved Isakson's amendment in a 68-31 vote. The vote changes nothing immediately, as the budget resolution is non-binding.

After the vote on Isakson's amendment, the Senate started work on another batch of 16 proposals.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) warned members that after those amendments are disposed of, the Senate will have considered more than 40 amendments. Reid again encouraged senators to start winding down the process, and said the Senate would not be in all night to consider all 400 amendments that have been proposed.

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