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Senate leaders said they are nearing an agreement Thursday that would add seniors, disabled veterans and their widows to those receiving rebates in the House-passed economic stimulus package.
An impending deal would break the stalemate that came when Republicans narrowly defeated a broader Democratic bill on Wednesday that included a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits, $1 billion for low-income heating assistance and $5.5 billion in renewable energy credits.
Lead Democratic and Republican negotiators predicted that the chamber could amend the House bill as early as Thursday. The House passed the measure two weeks ago after careful negotiations with the White House.
"There is probably a consensus," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), chairwoman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, in comments that were echoed by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
On Thursday, Baucus claimed a victory for Democrats, saying they had the Republicans necessary to expand the benefits to seniors, veterans and widows.
"That was a big flaw in the House bill, and we will have fixed it," he said. "I think there's a good chance [of a vote] today."
Such a deal was the most likely alternative after Wednesday night's 58-41 vote that blocked Democrats’ attempt to limit debate on legislation that was approved last week by the Senate Finance Committee.
The vote was actually one shy of reaching the 60 needed to end debate. However, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) switched his vote to “no” at the last minute, a procedural move that allows him to call the legislation up again.
Eight Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the cloture vote — Norm Coleman (Minn.), Susan Collins (Maine), Elizabeth Dole (N.C.), Pete Domenici (N.M.), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Gordon Smith (Ore.), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Arlen Specter (Pa.) — but a ninth was needed.
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