Last night the Senate approved the National Budget after four hours of sometimes angry debate. Despite their criticism of the RD$44.671 billion budget compromise package worked out between a bicameral committee and budget officials of the Fernández Government. All but one member of the Santo Domingo Accord (ASD) bloc voted in favor of the budget. ASD is the coalition of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) with a group of small parties. Many ASD senators were unhappy because the budget package did not include enough public works projects for their provinces. Others complained that some of the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) designated in the budget to receive government aid are phantom groups unworthy of getting public funds. Despite these complaints, coalition loyalty led all but Samaná Senator Milton Ray Guevara to vote for the budget package negotiated by the ASD’s leaders in Congress. Already approved nearly two weeks ago by the Chamber of Deputies, the bill now goes to President Fernández to be signed into law.
