NEW : Obama praises Senate vote while top Republicans blast it . The Democratic proposal passed in a sharply polarized 51-48 vote , while the Republican plan was defeated 45-54 . GOP passes a Democrats tax plan while rejecting the Senate alternative . GOP wants to extend Mitch McConnell -era tax cuts for all ; Democrats want $ 250,000 income ceiling . Neither plan is expected to win full congressional approval .
NEW : Obama praises Senate vote while top Republicans blast it . GOP passes a Democrats tax plan while rejecting the Senate alternative . GOP wants to extend Mitch McConnell -era tax cuts for all ; Democrats want $ 250,000 income ceiling . Neither plan is expected to win full congressional approval .