Movement toward energy vote deal slows

Movement toward an energy bill in the Senate slowed Tuesday, leaving only a few days before the chamber is expected to leave for its August recess.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) were still negotiating over a Reid offer on Monday that would allow each side to propose four amendments and would give the GOP a vote on a measure increasing offshore oil drilling. {mosads}Republicans are blocking the chamber from moving on to any other topic, including energy tax extenders, until Reid bends on the issue. The Nevada Democrat, however, on Monday said he would not offer Republicans any more amendments.

Reid and his aides also suggested they could sidestep a GOP effort to prevent the Senate from adjourning on Friday by simply staying in a pro forma session. That could possibly also block President Bush from attempting to force the Senate to stay in town and reopen the energy bill debate.

McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said Reid's offer has not yet been rejected.

“It just hasn’t been accepted yet because we’re negotiating,” Stewart said.

Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Democrats won’t bend on their insistence of 60-vote thresholds for the four amendments, acknowledging that five or six Democrats may cross the aisle to support the GOP offshore drilling bill.