2:15 cloture vote vitiated/2 votes at 4pm

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of 2 roll call votes beginning at 4pm today on the McConnell-Hatch amendment # _____ and on passage of S.3412, as amended, if amended. Each subject to a majority vote threshold. There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. As a result of this agreement, there will be no cloture vote at 2:15pm.

Prior to locking in the agreement, Senator Reid asked consent to vote on the McConnell-Hatch amendment and Reid bill, as amended, if amended, and when the Senate receives a companion bill from the House, the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, insert the text of S.3412, as passed by the Senate, and the Senate pass the House bill, as amended.

Senator McConnell asked consent to strike the provision to marry the Senate language with the House bill and, in lieu, vote on the McConnell-Hatch proposal, a McConnell amendment, which is his version of " the President's tax bill", and the Reid bill (S.3412). Senator Reid declined to modify his request to vote on those three items because the President strongly supports the Reid bill and that is the President's proposal.

Senator Reid then agreed to strike the provision to marry the Senate language with the House bill per McConnell's request, and renewed his request, as modified. That request was agreed to.

McConnell-Hatch amendment (text of S.3413), to temporarily extend tax relief provisions enacted in 2001 and 2003, to provide for temporary alternative minimum tax relief, to extend increased expensing limitations, and to provide instructions for tax reform (McConnell-Hatch).

S.3412, a bill to extend the 2001, 2003 and 2009 tax cuts for 98% of Americans and 97% of all small businesses (Reid).