Reid files cloture on EDA bill

“I hope we can work something out, but in the meantime, I
have no alternative as the leader of this Senate but to file cloture on this
bill,” said Reid.

Minutes later, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who is the
sponsor of the EDA bill, came to the floor and said she feared the legislation
would face “death by filibuster.”

“What are we doing loading down a beautiful bill like this
with all sorts of amendments?” asked Boxer. “I would hate to see this die.”

Democrats argued that increased funding for the EDA could
boost hiring and the economy.

Under the bill, S. 782, funding for the EDA would jump to
$500 million through 2015, compared to just under $300 million in FY 2011.

The cloture vote on the legislation is not yet scheduled,
and before leaving the floor Reid noted that there would be no more roll call
votes this week.