Reid Will Push Wounded DISCLOSE Act
Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid is still planning to bring major campaign finance legislation to the Senate floor before Aug. recess, a sign some observers believe indicates Dems are willing to allow the bill to die at the hands of a GOP filibuster.
Reid had promised Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) he would bring the DISCLOSE Act to the floor. But Dems haven't been able to attract a Senate GOP sponsor, raising questions about the bill's future.
"He's committed, one way or the other, to bring it up and to have those votes," said a senior Dem leadership aide. On Wednesday, Reid listed the DISCLOSE Act among his priorities to pass before the Aug. break.
But, acknowledged the aide, with a Supreme Court nomination, unemployment benefits, an energy bill, a supplemental appropriations act and other major items on the table, the clock is ticking. "Our only enemy, other than Republicans that won't let us take it up, is time," the aide said.
Those GOPers have proven a serious problem. On Wednesday, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) delivered the bill a body blow by announcing he will oppose the legislation.
Reform groups had seen Brown as a key potential GOP vote, given the number of times he's worked with Dems to pass key bills this year. After Brown's announcement, reform groups said they would target Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
Senate observers said Reid may fulfill his promise by bringing the bill up for a cloture vote regardless of whether he has the votes or not. If Reid doesn't hit the 60 votes required to end debate, he may simply drop the bill and move on to another of his priorities.
If the bill does die in the Senate, it will confirm the worst fears of some House Dems. Given serious opposition from the Chamber of Commerce, vulnerable Dems worried about antagonizing a powerful interest group just months before Election Day. The Chamber said it would score the vote on the DISCLOSE Act; the bill passed by a narrow 219-206, with just 2 GOP votes.