Sen. Chuck Schumer said that this year Senate Democrats will pass a budget. Senate Democrats have not passed a budget since April 2009, a point often made by Republicans. While Democrats have used the House Republican budget as a talking point, the Republicans could not do the same. Many, including CNN’s Ali Velshi, have chastised the Senate for not passing a budget, and called on them to do so. The move may have political reasons, several of the Democrats are up for re-election. Some, like Mark Begich of Alaska, represent conservative states, and the lack of a budget could serve as a issue.