“If and when Republicans can agree on a limited number of amendments and agree on the need to get this bill passed, Senator Reid is committed to finding room on the Senate schedule as soon as possible,” said Jim Manley, the spokesman, who said President Bush needed to play a role as well. “The hope is that he can apply enough pressure to provide the votes we need to get the bill out of the Senate.”
And, based on his public statements thus far, President Bush seems quite willing to apply some pressure. And Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says that he, at least, is willing to vote in favor of bill if enough senators get to propose amendments. The negotiations continue...
