House likely to vote Friday
Posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 2:02 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under:
Congress, Economy
From NBC's Mike Viqueira
House Democrats had a conference call late this morning. The upshot: they will likely put the loaded up Senate financial rescue package on the floor on Friday.
There are two caveats. First, the Senate will have to pass their version of the bill tonight. That's likely; passage is considered to be almost a lock.The second provision: House Republicans will have to show that they can deliver more votes. The Senate package is designed to attract Monday's wayward GOP representatives, and Democratic leaders now think that they aren't going to lose fiscally-minded Blue Dogs and that their "aye" vote count from Monday will at least hold, if not grow.
Congressional leaders appear to have learned a lesson and will not put the package on the floor unless they are assured that the votes are there. The last thing they want is a replay of Monday's failed vote.
The House remains in recess until tomorrow, but Republican House chiefs John Boehner and Roy Blunt are in the Capitol today, working the phones and looking for votes for the Senate plan.