WASHINGTON – The Senate’s key Republican negotiator on financial overhaul legislation says he’s not optimistic about getting a deal before a showdown vote Monday.
Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby is predicting that all 41 GOP senators will vote to delay the start of debate on the bill unless talks lead to an agreement.
Sen. Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and committee chairman, Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” this morning. Sen. Dodd needs 60 votes – and there are 59 Democrats and Democratic-allied independents.
The financial reform debate was the lead topic on the morning news shows.
Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, a lead negotiator and Senate banking panel member, appeared on ABC’s “This Week.” He said without a bipartisan agreement in place, it’s “very likely” Republicans would block movement on the 1,336-page legislation.