The Republican-controlled US Senate on Wednesday narrowly passed a legislation to cut the federal budget deficit by 39.7 billion dollars with Vice President Dick Cheney casting the deciding vote.

The legislation imposes the first restraints in nearly a decade in federal benefit programs such as the Medicaid and Medicare health care programs and student loans.

With five Republicans joining minority Democrats in opposing the cuts, the US Senate was evenly divided 50-50 in the vote. Cheney, who had cut short an international trip to be present for this and other close Senate votes, cast the deciding vote. US vice president's constitutional duties include presiding over the Senate.

The deficit reduction bill had already been approved by the US House of Representatives before most House members left Washington for holiday. But in the version approved on Wednesday, Democrats forced minor changes. That will require the House to vote on the bill again before it can be sent to the US president for signature.

Source: Xinhua