WASHINGTON - After one spectacular failure, the $700 billion financial industry bailout found a second life Wednesday, winning lopsided passage in the Senate and gaining ground in the House, where Republicans opposition softened.
Senators loaded the economic rescue bill with tax breaks and other sweeteners before passing it by a wide margin, 74-25, a month before the presidential and congressional elections.
It's not over yet, by any means. The bill's language was moved somewhat to the right, and that may create some problems for Democrats in the house who supported it the first time. The may be able to pick up some Republicans, but there's no guarantee they'll get the combination needed to pass it.
The drama will continue at least until Friday when the House is scheduled to vote.
The "Nays" included 15 Republicans, 9 Dems and 1 Socialist. (Actually, there were probably several Socialists, but there's only one who would admit to it.)
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