Senate set to pass small-business bill

“We believe we have the 60
votes to get this done,” she told reporters, adding, “We’re hoping at the end
that we actually have some Republicans join us for a bill that makes so much
sense.” 

Landrieu said negotiations
were ongoing with Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) on getting him to support the
bill. 

“We haven’t negotiated all of
that yet,” she said. 

Landrieu did not say if she
expected other Republicans to support the bill. 

A vote on the measure is
expected to occur after the Senate extends unemployment insurance, which is
expected later today. 

The lending pool in the
small-business bill has come under fire by Republicans who contend it will
create another TARP scenario by giving the Treasury authority over which small
banks receive the funds to lend to small businesses. 

Landreiu said the lending
provision will be stripped from the original bill and then will be offered as
the bill’s only amendment to illustrate who supports the pool. 

“We want to highlight the
fact of who’s actually stepping up to help small businesses through small
banks,” she said.

An amendment on the estate
tax offered by Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) will not be
offered. 

Landrieu said if the lending
amendment fails the other portions of the bill will move forward. The other
sections provide small-business tax relief and extend Small Business
Administration loans. However, without the lending provision, the senator does
not think the bill will pass. 

“I don’t think it will pass without this in it,” she said.