That led to approval of a Democratic proposal to reduce the tax cut by about $450 billion and apply the money to education programs.

The Democratic proposal had been more or less ready for some time.

But they consider the Democratic proposals just the beginning of a cleanup.

The vote in favor of the Democratic proposal was 52 to 47.

By contrast, under many Democratic proposals, the government would pick up 100 percent of costs above some level, perhaps $4,000 a year.

The drug industry is anxiously waiting to see details of the Democratic proposal.

Republicans say the Democratic proposals will actually add $4 billion.

The Democratic proposal was defeated by a vote of 50 to 46.

Their plan would cost $350 billion over 10 years, far less than the main Democratic proposals.

Three out of the bill's four provisions are Democratic proposals, they said.