Filibuster on National Service Bill Continues
Senate Democrats Thursday failed by one vote to break a Republican filibuster blocking passage of a scaled-back version of President Clinton’s national service bill but said they expected to have the votes to do so, probably today.
Sources in both parties said several Republicans, including Sen. Mark O. Hatfield (R-Ore.), were considering switching and voting to end the filibuster, which would give the Democrats enough votes to put the bill on track for final passage.
A day after the House passed a larger version of the legislation by a comfortable margin, the Senate voted, 59 to 41, to invoke cloture and force its bill to final passage--one short of the 60 needed.
The Senate bill would authorize $1.5 billion over three years, starting with $300 million next year, to provide educational assistance of up to $10,000 in exchange for two years of community service.
The House bill authorized $389 million for next year and whatever is necessary to continue the program over the following two years.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
