Senate Democrats Claim Votes to Pass Stimulus
Updated: 7:10 p.m. Senate Democrats emerged from a caucus meeting Friday night sounding optimistic that they have the 60 votes needed to pass the economic stimulus bill. Democrats said they signed off on a compromise measure that contains 42 percent tax cuts and 58 percent spending. Were going to get all our Democrats, proclaimed Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), adding that enough Republicans have also signed off on the measure to meet the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. It does not appear that Senate Republicans who oppose the bill will allow a vote on the amendment Friday, making final passage on Friday near to impossible. I would doubt if it would occur tonight, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said.