Final Passage of Senate Extender Bill with FMAP Extended Again

After a cloture vote to end Senate debate failed, 56-40, on Thursday night, Democratic leaders did not commit to bringing the $118 billion measure back to the floor immediately. Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) said he would meet with Finance Chairman Baucus (D-MT) and other Democrats today to figure out the next steps. The vote Thursday night was on a Baucus scaled-back legislative package that trimmed more that $20 bill with modifications and additional revenue offsets intended  to gather both moderate Democratic and some Republican support after a test vote Wednesday failed by 45-52. Twelve members of the Democratic Caucus voted against that version. Senators Nelson (D-NE) and Lieberman (CT-I) were the only two members of the Democratic Caucus to not support cloture Thursday. Senator Snowe (R-ME), who has been wooed as a potential swing vote, said she believed the bill could pass next week.  The House was poised to take up the Senate bill on a special Friday-only expedited vote, but left town after the failed Senate vote.