Senate Democrats urge Republican support of financial reform bill

A vote against a financial regulatory reform bill is a vote to protect Wall Street, a Senate Democratic leadership spokesman said Monday. 

Without a deal in the offing on the measure and cloture vote looming at 5 p.m. today, Senate Democratic leadership got out of the gate first calling on Republicans to support revamping Wall Street regulations while continuing to work toward a bipartisan agreement. 

"We remain eager to work with Republicans who are sincere about reforming Wall Street, and we are hopeful for a bipartisan agreement on this important effort," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. 

"But there are no two ways about it, a vote against even opening debate on holding Wall Street accountable is a vote to protect Wall Street."