Senate Close To Passing Tax Cut Bill; Backers Fend Off Amendments; Final Vote May Come Today
Republicans and a small group of Democrats in the Senate last night turned back efforts to significantly change a $1.35 trillion tax cut package that meets many of President Bush's goals, but were thwarted in their efforts to hold a speedy final vote.</br></br>The tax bill appeared headed for easy passage by a solid majority, but shortly before midnight the Republican leadership abandoned efforts to complete work on the measure as Democratic opponents succeeded in forcing adjournment for the night. The Senate will resume its debate today, when Republicans said they would have a final vote.</br></br>"We see there is a delay being forced," Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said shortly before the chamber adjourned. "But I think it is very important that we complete this work."</br></br>As the evening progressed, the Democrats offered a series of amendments as they resisted GOP efforts to quickly push the bill through. They charged that the Republicans were trying to pass the largest tax cut in 20 years in the dark of night.</br></br>"We're going to be here until 6 in the morning at least," said Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), assessing the stack of amendments awaiting action and asking Lott to adjourn.