In an easier than expected vote, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1473 by a 260-167 margin. Fifty nine Republicans opposed the bill, but eighty one Democrats supported it.
The House turned back five amendments to the Ryan FY 2012 Budget Resolution (H. Con Res 34). Amendments offered by the Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus were defeated with more than 300 votes against.
The only scary moment came when the Garrett Amendment, proposing to replace the Ryan plan with the Republican Study Group plan. In a surprise move 172 Democrats, including Rep. John Carney (D-DE-1) voted "present" hoping Republicans would pass it on their own. Initially 124 Republicans voted for the plan while 115 were against it. Seeing the trick in motion, five Republicans switched votes to make it 119-120 against passage. Fearing the possibility the RSG plan might actually pass, 16 Democrats also voted no, assuring its defeat.
The Van Hollen Amendment, the official Democratic substitute, was also defeated along party lines.
The House then passed the budget outline 235-193 with only four Republicans in opposition.
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