June 30, 2010 - The House of Representatives agreed to the Conference Report for HR 4173 on Wednesday. The vote (237-192) was basically split along party lines with 22 members switching sides: three Republicans joining Democrats in passing the measure and 19 Democrats voting against it. The Senate will not address the bill until after the July 4th recess.
Senate prospects for passage are murky as the Democrats will need Republican support for passage. Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has pulled his support but Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has indicated she would vote yes. Other question marks are Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) who previously voted for the measure. Democrats are hoping to get Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) who previously voted against the measure, to at least allow for a floor vote.
