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Senate supplemental vote may result in tie |
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By Elana Schor
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Posted: 03/21/07 07:49 PM [ET] |
The Iraq supplemental slated for markup today in the Senate Appropriations Committee will likely include a version of the troop withdrawal language offered earlier this month by Democratic leaders, but the absence of the rehabilitating Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) could jeopardize panel passage of the war-funding bill.
Johnson will be able to cast votes by proxy on amendments and motions during the markup, but not on final passage, according to a Senate Democratic aide. Because Democrats hold a one-vote majority on Appropriations, a party-line vote on the supplemental without Johnson would result in a tie.
However, Senate procedures leave room to maneuver in the case of a tie vote in committee, ensuring that the supplemental still can proceed to the floor.
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