McConnell Shifts, Says Deal on Financial Bill Near

He takes credit, and Chris Dodd laughs
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 20, 2010 6:42 PM CDT
McConnell Shifts, Says Deal on Financial Bill Near
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talks to reporters following the weekly caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill Tuesday, April 20, 2010.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

The prospects of financial reform passing the Senate appear to be much better today, with Mitch McConnell making decidedly less confrontational noises, reports the Washington Post and Talking Points Memo. "We believe the process to achieve (a bipartisan bill) has now been reconstituted," said McConnell, who claimed that GOP pressure brought Democrats back to the negotiating table. Democrats were amused at the thought and say they never left the table.

"Talk about taking people taking credit for things—that's like the rooster taking credit for the morning," said Chris Dodd. Whatever the cause for the harmony, Harry Reid could bring the bill to the floor as early as Thursday. The timing depends on how fast the last wrinkles are ironed out, specifically the fate of a $50 billion fund to liquidate bankrupt companies. Many Republicans hate it because they think it will reward reckless action, and Harry Reid says there's room for negotiation, notes the Post. (More financial reform stories.)

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