Republican hopes of derailing the Democratic bill on financial reform appear to be in trouble. Mitch McConnell doesn't have the necessary votes for a filibuster, reports the Hill. At least one GOP senator, Susan Collins of Maine, has balked at signing a letter promising to bring proceedings to a halt. McConnell wants to force Democrats back to the bargaining table, but now his leverage is seriously weakened, writes Alexander Bolton. Harry Reid could bring the bill to the floor next week.
(More Mitch McConnell stories.)