Senate Dems Hand Hillary Clinton Two Slam-Dunk Wedge Issues For 2016
WASHINGTON — In the haze of the budget "vote-a-rama" that lasted into the early hours of Friday morning, Democrats passed two progressive amendments through the Republican-led Senate, both of which may serve as valuable "wedge" issues for Hillary Clinton to exploit in the 2016 presidential election.
Both measures are popular with Americans and unite Democrats. Both were opposed by all four Republican senators considering a presidential run: Sens. Rand Paul (KY), Ted Cruz (TX), Marco Rubio (FL) and Lindsey Graham (SC).
The first, offered by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and called the Healthy Families Act, would let workers earn up to seven days of paid sick leave and mark the first expansion of such federal requirements in more than two decades.
It passed by a filibuster-proof majority of 61-39, winning over numerous blue or swing state Republicans facing reelection in 2016: Sens. Kelly Ayotte (NH), Richard Burr (NC), Mark Kirk (IL), Rob Portman (OH) and Pat Toomey (PA).
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The second, offered by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), would ensure Social Security and veterans benefits for legally married same-sex couples even if they lived in a state that outlawed gay marriage. It passed by a vote of 57-43, winning 11 Republicans including Ayotte, Burr, Kirk and Portman. The vote reflected the surge in support for gay rights across the nation in recent years.
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