–Final Vote To Be ‘Held Open’ As Senators Return To DC
–Travel Delays Will Delay Final Vote Calculation
–Senate Needs 60 Votes To End Debate On Tax Bill
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed
Monday the Senate will hold a key procedural vote at 3 P.M. to end
debate on the $858 billion tax cut and spending package that was
negotiated by President Obama and congressional Republican leaders.
In comments on the Senate floor, Reid said the Senate’s vote will
begin as scheduled at 3 p.m. but the final tally will be “held open” as
senators return to Washington from their states.
Reid said that due to regular travel complications and those caused
by bad weather, the Senate vote will run beyond its normal time.
Senate votes are supposed to run for 15 minutes, but often take
more than 30 minutes to complete as senators come to the Senate chamber
from the Senate’s various office buildings.
Reid said he wants to conclude the Senate vote “as quickly as we
can.”
Senate staffers have said that the final Senate vote is likely to
be completed by 5 p.m.
But the outcome is likely to be clear well before then.
The Senate’s vote is to formally end the debate on the $858
billion tax and spending bill bill.
Ending the debate will require 60 votes.
If the 60 votes are secured as is expected, the Senate could debate
the bill for another 30 hours, delaying the final Senate vote until
Tuesday or Wednesday.
Before a final Senate vote, Senate leaders may allow for each party
to offer an amendment to the bill, mostly as a way of allowing several
senators a vehicle to express frustration with the package.
If the Senate passes the bill it will be sent to the House for
its consideration.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MFU$$$,MCU$$$]
