The 55 to 42 vote marked the first time the Senate has approved the proposal, which it rejected last year by two votes.

In any case, the vote marks a test of the lobbying strengths of the two sides.

Today's vote marked a sharp reversal of fortune for the measure, which just a month ago looked likely to pass in both houses.

Even so, today's votes marked a significant change in Republican attitudes, as showed by the complaints of committee members on the losing side.

But it was a misreading to suppose that the vote then marked the high water mark on the issue.

Passing this bill is a huge mistake and this vote will mark a very dark day in American history.

The 90-to-50 vote marked the first passage of such a bill by either house of the Legislature in the 23 years it has been considered.

The House's 265-to-145 vote last week at least marked a sharp departure from the trends in domestic spending during the 1980's.

Today's vote in the House marks the start of the budget process for the year.

The vote should not mark the end of this issue.