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GOP-controlled Senate ok’s budget plan

FILE - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., accompanied by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this March 24, 2015 file photo. Senators worked into Friday's pre-dawn hours March 27, 2015 on a stack of amendments to the balanced-budget plan, which closely follows a blueprint the House passed Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., accompanied by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this March 24, 2015 file photo. Senators worked into Friday's pre-dawn hours March 27, 2015 on a stack of amendments to the balanced-budget plan, which closely follows a blueprint the House passed Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

By Associated Press March 27, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Republican-controlled Senate has approved a balanced-budget plan that calls for trillions in spending cuts and repeal of the controversial health care law to erase red ink by the end of the coming decade.

The vote was 52-46 after a marathon session lasting until after 3 a.m. The House approved a slightly different version Wednesday night on a similar party-line vote.

Next up are compromise budget talks between the two houses, after which lawmakers will begin writing legislation to translate the non-binding plan into specific proposals that are likely to spark a struggle with President Barack Obama.

The Senate blueprint envisions about $5 trillion in spending cuts, and an overhaul of the tax code as well as repeal of the health care law.