Reid and Dodd would defer to GOP, but Democrats dig their heels in

[pscot]

There is a major fight going on in the Senate over financial reform. Republicans agreed to allow amandments, then, after getting their amendments passed, treacherously changed the rules, blocking key Democratic provisos that would toughen up on the banksters.Reid and Dodd want to make nice, but some Dems aren't buying it.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37431.html

Heading into a major test vote Wednesday on Wall Street reform, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) scrambled Tuesday to prevent Democratic defections that could leave him short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate.....


But the primary floor drama was not centered on the already pending amendments—instead the most intense battle was being waged by Democrats Carl Levin (Mich.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.), who were fighting to get their amendment that would crack down on proprietary trading to the floor. The motion to consider the Merkley-Levin provision, which would extend the Volcker Rules curbing high-risk speculative exchanges, was offered by unanimous consent and rejected by top GOP negotiator Richard Shelby "on behalf of myself and a lot of others around here."


Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) told a small group of reporters as she exited the floor following votes that it would be "controversial" if Republicans continued to block an up-or-down vote on what some Democrats are viewing as an essential amendment.


Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) gave a heated speech on the floor demanding to know why his amendment on ATM fees could not be considered.

[Autumn]

1. Reid and Dodd . Time to kick their asses out

the door. K/R

[blue97keet]

3. Agree

[aquart]

2. Lucy. Football. Charlie Brown never learns.

[roguevalley]

4. Dodd is a sad ass. He doesn't even try to hide it.

[troubledamerican]

5. Feingold, Cantwell ATTACKED by Reid, Schumer today

'After finding Brown, he (Reid) put his arm around him and shook his head, then found Cantwell seated alone at the opposite end of the floor. He and New York's Chuck Schumer encircled her, Reid leaning over her with his right arm on the back of her chair and Schumer leaning in with his left hand on her desk.'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/19/two-dems-help-defeat-sena_n_582449.html