Thune substitute on extenders fails

The Senate on Thursday defeated a Republican substitute to the so-called tax extenders bill by a 41-57 vote.

The measure was offered by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) that would have accomplished many of the tax and spending priorities in the Democratic extender bill without adding to the deficit. The proposal would have used unspent stimulus funds to pay for the bill. 

The chamber will now turn its attention to the Democratic extender bill offered Wednesday night by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.). The proposal currently does not have the 60 votes needed to pass the chamber.