The United States Senate this evening rejected Barack Obama’s unfunded second stimulus package, which would cost taxpayers approximately $447 billion while relying on the same policies that failed to create jobs in the first stimulus legislation.

Senate Republicans were joined in opposition to cloture on the bill by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE). Other Democrats who have talked openly about opposing the bill — including Senators Manchin of West Virginia and Baucus of Montana — voted in favor of cloture.

Multiple Senate Democrats have expressed opposition to the bill itself barring changes. In fact, that’s why Majority Leader Harry Reid has been opposed to bringing the legislation up for a vote. He knows that as of now he’d lose the vote. And for good reason.

Update: Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) also voted against cloture. The bill didn’t get anywhere near enough votes to clear that procedural hurdle. Two Democrats and all Republicans voted against it. Barring significant changes, it’s dead in the water.

The vote is being held open until Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) can return to Washington from some awards ceremony tonight. But it won’t make a difference — not tonight anyway. The final  tally should be something like 52-47 or 51-48. Obama needed 60 “aye” votes to start debate on his latest monstrosity.