(Bloomberg Politics) — Not every budget vote in Thursday's Senate marathon is particularly telling. The vote on Senate Amendment 798, one of Washington Sen. Patty Murray's amendments, is an exception.
Titled the Deficit-Neutral Reserve Fund for Legislation to Allow Americans to Earn Paid Sick Time, Murray's amendment would devote funds "relating to efforts to improve workplace benefits and reduce health care costs, which may include measures to allow Americans to earn paid sick time to address their own health needs and the health needs of their families, and to promote equal employment opportunities."
Unlike most of the Democrat's amendments, this one was agreed to, picking up every member of Murray's party and 16 Republicans. From the Republican side: New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, and Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey.
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All are up for re-election in 2016; Ayotte, Kirk, Portman, and Toomey are up in states that voted twice for President Barack Obama. Of Republicans up in 2010, the senators from reliable red states were "no" votes, including Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, and Louisiana Sen. David Vitter.
