Cheney casts tiebreaker vote in Senate

For the first time in his role as president of the Senate, Cheney breaks a tie vote.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney cast his first-ever tiebreaking vote in the Senate Tuesday, one that Republicans foresee as the first of many as they debate President Bush's budget in an evenly split Senate.

Cheney's vote gave approval to a GOP-backed amendment to the budget resolution that would allow budget writers to spend up to $300 billion on prescription drug coverage for Medicare.

Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-Rhode Island, and Sen. Zell Miller, D-Georgia, were the only two senators to cross party lines in the tie vote.

The amendment was offered to counter a Democratic measure to take money from the tax cut and shift it to funding prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients.

MESSAGE BOARD Taxing and spending: Bush budget

That vote on that amendment was 50-50, but failed because it did not get a majority.

Cheney is expected to be on hand for tiebreaking votes throughout the week as the Senate debates and votes on amendments to the president's budget framework.

Chafee has served notice to his Republican colleagues he opposes President Bush's budget because the tax cut is skewed to the rich and it does not spend enough on what he calls important government programs.

Chafee is expected to break ranks on substantive amendments throughout the week, but stick with his party on procedural votes.

Miller is the only Senate Democrat to come out in favor of Bush's budget, and has told his caucus he will vote with Republicans on most issues.

The Senate is expected to complete the non-binding budget resolution by the end of the week.

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The White House
 • U.S. President George W. Bush

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