Could Byrd's Death Delay Financial Reform?

Just when Democrats thought they were in the home stretch: With Senator Robert Byrd's death came a crucial loss of support for the financial-regulation bill that the Senate hopes to pass this week. Just one fewer supporter could derail the bill's passage entirely, as the Democratic leaders need at least 60 votes to trump the expected Republican filibuster. While West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III will most likely appoint a Democratic successor, this may not occur for several days. To further complicate matters, a last-minute addition to the bill, $19 billion tax on large financial institutions, has raised eyebrows among the few Republicans who support the bill. Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts is "extremely disappointed" with the tax and strongly hinted that he would vote against the bill: "I've said repeatedly that I cannot support any bill that raises taxes," he said. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, another Republican supporter, said that she was also concerned with the tax and was "taking a look" at it.