this is nice news...for about half the article. then you realize that a partial administration defeat on overtime pay is more than balanced by meannesses that, i'm sure, seem small to those who voted and very large to the people who need help. like this one, directly quoted from the times article:

"A call to add $300 million for low-income heating assistance was rejected on a vote of 49-46, 11 short of the 60 needed. As drafted, the measure includes $2 billion for the program.

The vote on a call for an additional $50 million for a child vaccination program was 47-49, 13 less than needed."

oh, those compassionate conservatives.