An effort to slow down the runaway growth of federal spending went down in flames in the U.S. Senate, with a majority of Republicans voting with Democrats to kill the deficit-reduction plan.

The "Pennies Plan," introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY,) was defeated by a 22-69 vote. All 22 votes in favor came from Republicans, with 26 Republicans joining Democrats to block it.

Paul's plan would slow the growth of federal spending to 18.2 percent over ten years and "would expressly protect Social Security, include instructions to make the individual income tax reforms passed by President Trump permanent, and expand access to Health Savings Accounts," The Washington Examiner reports.

"Only in Washington could an 18.2 percent increase be characterized as a cut," Paul tweeted hours before the vote.