WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate’s top Democrat has yanked a $180 billion spending measure from the floor after the chamber’s top Republican protested a plan that would have denied Republicans the chance to more easily win changes to the measure.
Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the measure after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell thwarted a move to require a supermajority 60-vote threshold for adoption of amendments to the measure.
The Nevada Democrat was also a force in cancelling committee consideration Thursday of a separate energy and water projects spending bill after McConnell appeared poised to win a vote aimed at blocking any new government rules on carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants.
The combined events are a major blow to efforts to get Congress’ troubled appropriations process back on track.