FinReg Endgame to Start Tonight

The amendment-athon on Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D-Conn.) financial regulatory reform bill is coming to a close, with staffers saying only five or so more amendments will receive votes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has indicated that he plans to file cloture on the bill — ending debate and leading to an up-or-down vote on the measure — tonight.

But he probably does not have the 60 votes to end debate this go-around. Sen. Byron Dorgan (N.D.), a Democrat, has indicated that he might not vote with Reid, who needs all Democrats to stick together to move forward.

The Senate just agreed to Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s (D-W.V.) amendment preserving certain regulatory authority for the Federal Trade Commission, passing the measure by voice vote. Starting at 5:30 tonight, the Senate will vote on Sen. Mike Crapo’s (R-Idaho) amendment making Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s losses part of federal budget reporting; Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) amendment changing some procedures regarding the International Monetary Fund; and Sen. Mark Udall’s (D-Colo.) amendment increasing ease of access to credit scores.

Update: The Crapo amendment just failed.