Sen. Rand Paul's budget would cut federal spending by more than $13 trillion over the next 10 years when compared to current spending levels. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo Senate to vote on Paul’s balanced budget plan

The Senate is expected to vote this week on a budget proposal from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that would severely curtail federal spending, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The measure would balance the budget within five years. But its spending cuts in future years are so steep that the plan is highly unlikely to pass. The budget needs 50 votes to move forward, but Republicans control only 51 seats, and several center-right members are unlikely to support such strict spending cuts.


Still, holding such a vote is a key priority for Paul, who has railed against Republicans for months for increasing spending once they came to power. He also spoke privately to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) about the budget in March, when he threatened to shut down the government for a second time this year over spending increases.

“This budget vote will be a litmus test for Republicans who claim to be conservative, but are only too happy to grow the federal government and increase our debt,” Paul said in an emailed statement.

Paul's budget would cut federal spending by more than $13 trillion over the next 10 years when compared to current spending levels. It would make no cuts to Social Security but would direct the federal government to make major reductions in spending, without specifying the cuts.

The Kentucky Republican is also seeking to expand health savings accounts.