Defense Clears Senate, Frees up Monday Vote
As the Senate tries to complete its work and dash out of town, it passed the defense authorization bill by unanimous consent, freeing up Monday for other priorities. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) reserved a Monday vote for the defense bill, but he was able to reach an agreement with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that sent the bill to the presidents desk. Reid went down a checklist of things that he hoped to get done: an Amtrak bill, the Indian nuclear agreement and the Wall Street rescue plan. Reid has indicated that he would like negotiators on the federal bailout plan to produce a final blueprint Sunday evening. If the Members are able to resolve their differences on the rescue plan, the Senate could vote on it as early as Monday.