Senate Democratic and Republican leadership aides are offering similar predictions of what tonight’s final vote on the $700 billion financial plan will look like: Expect a number around 70 votes.
GOP aides say a majority of the Senate’s 49 Republicans — probably around 30 — will vote for the bill, and Democratic aides expect slight more, about 40, from their side.
Seventy votes would easily exceed the 60-vote threshold necessary for passage according to a consent agreement hammered out Tuesday between Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
–J. Taylor Rushing