Friday, January 12, 2007

UPDATE: Reid to Support DeMint Amendment

Within minutes of our blog below on the earmark disclosure debate in the Senate, word issues that Majority Leader Harry Reid will support the DeMint amendment in most particulars and move as early as next Tuesday to a cloture vote on S. 1, with a vote on the bill expected later in the week.

Per a CQ article ($$) and a call with a senior Reid staffer, the new compromise amendment will:

• require disclosure of earmarks on the internet 48 hours before a floor vote
• define specific projects within federal agencies as earmarks
• require inclusion of items in report language accompanying bills and conference reports

It will also apply to any provision offering a "limited group" more favorable tax treatment than "similarly situated taxpayers."