A vote is scheduled at 2:30pm ET today on the defense authorization bill (S.3454) in the Senate. The procedural vote seeks to move the bill forward and begin general debate; however Democratic leaders do not know if they have 60 votes needed to pass the motion.
At the source of the conflict are two provisions in the bill; repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and an immigration measure, the DREAM Act. Republicans have voiced their opposition to the measures, as well as Democratic leaders’ refusal to allow the other side to bring forth their amendments for consideration.
In the House, Democratic leaders are expected to bring the small business lending trust fund bill (H.R.5297) for consideration later this week. The package creates a $30 billion lending fund for banks to increase their loans to small businesses and offers tax-write offs on new investments to small business owners. The Senate passed by the bill by a vote of 61-38 last Thursday.
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