Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) asked for and has been granted a 30-minute delay in the start of votes Wednesday night, meaning the Amtrak vote is now expected at 8 p.m. and the string of other votes, including the financial rescue package, will begin slightly later as well.

Dodd requested extra debate time, as Senators, noting the significance of the financial-sector legislation, have spoken at length and gone over the debate time allotted to them.

Early Wednesday evening, Dodd gave more time for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) to complete his floor remarks.