Senate Dems file $1.1T spending bill

• Tweet

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Senate Democrats filed a $1.1 trillion spending bill Tuesday that would fund the government through the end of fiscal year 2011, Republican officials said.

The nearly 2,000-page bill includes funding to implement portions of the healthcare reform law as well as additional funding for Internal Revenue Service agents, a senior Republican aide told The Hill.

The package drew criticism from Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

"The attempt by Democrat leadership to rush through a nearly 2,000-page spending bill in the final days of the lame-duck session ignores the clear will expressed by the voters this past election," Thune said in a statement. "This bill is loaded up with pork projects and should not get a vote. Congress should listen to the American people and stop this reckless spending."

Thune called for an earmark-free, short-term funding measure to keep the government operating beyond Dec. 18, when the continuing resolution expires.

Despite opposition from Thune and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, several Senate Republicans said they're considering voting for the bill.

"That's my intention," retiring Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, told The Hill.

While the earmarks in the bill may give some Republican senators pause, Bennett said it wouldn't affect his vote.

"It will be tough for some, but not for me," he said.

Other Republican Senators -- Kit Bond of Missouri, George Voinovich of Ohio and Susan Collins of Maine -- said the would consider voting for the spending bill, but wanted to review it before making a final decision.

"I hope to be able to vote for one," Bond said of the bill. "We've got to look what's in it. I'm anxious to see it."