WASHINGTON (January 23, 2013)—U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the incoming Senate Budget Committee chair, says the Democrats who control the chamber will attempt to pass a budget for the first time since 2009.

Murray said Wednesday the measure will call upon the wealthy to pay their "fair share" in taxes and defend programs for senior citizens and middle-class families.

Democrats have come under attack from Republicans for failing to pass budgets, prompting the House to propose withholding pay for either House or Senate members if the chamber in which they serve fails to pass a budget plan.

The proposal was an attachment to an unrelated measure to permit the government to borrow money for another three months to meet its obligations.

That measure passed in the House Wednesday and Senate Democrats were likely to accept it.