Article snippet: Senate Republicans took the first step Thursday evening toward passing a tax plan and fulfilling a long-held campaign pledge. Senators narrowly voted 51-49 to pass the fiscal 2018 budget after a grueling hours-long marathon on the Senate floor. Sen. MORE (R-Ky.) joined with every Democrat and independent to vote against the bill. The spending blueprint is key to Republicans' efforts to pass tax reform because it includes instructions that will allow the plan to avoid a Democratic filibuster. A last-minute amendment by Senate Budget Committee Chairman MORE (R-Wyo.) adopting technical and procedural language from the House budget may expedite the budget’s final passage. A House GOP source says the amendment seems sufficient to avoid a conference committee between the two chambers, and allow the House to simply pass the Senate resolution. “Passing this budget is critical to getting tax reform done, so we can strengthen our economy after years of stagnation under the previous administration,” said Senate Majority Leader MORE (R-Ky.). With a 52-seat majority, McConnell had a narrow path to getting the votes needed to clear the budget through the upper chamber. But GOP leadership caught a break this week when Sen. MORE (R-Miss.), recovering from health issues, returned early to Washington. The budget, meant to outline spending for the fiscal year, was widely viewed as a mere vehicle for passing tax reform. "This is the biggest hoax cast upon the American people ever th... Link to the full article to read more