From: Pergram, Chad
To:
Sent: Tue Dec 09 16:25:09 2008
Subject: Urgent: House Democrats unsure about auto bill vote

Urgent: House Democrats unsure about auto bill vote
Per Pergram-Capitol Hill

* House Democrats still have not wrapped up a deal to extend $15 billion to the auto industry.

* In on-camera comments, House Democratic leaders were vague on when a debate and vote could come in the House.

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* "There are legitimate differences," said House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank. "There aren't things of a significant nature that will blow this up."
Later Frank added that "people have to give."

* When asked what the specific differences were, Frank said "I'm specifically not going to tell you."

* However House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) indicated that he thought the House could approve the package.

* "I think we can get the votes," he said. When asked if this could bleed into next week, Hoyer added, "I don't want to anticipate next week."

* Reporters consistently badgered leaders about whether the House or Senate would go first.

* To that, Frank offered, "if you have further questions about who should go first, you chould consult Abbot and Costello,"...a reference to the legendary comedy team's "Who's on First" routine.

* There is some indication from House Democrats that they could try to move a bill on the House floor as early as tomorrow. The House Democratic Caucus is expected to meet tomorrow morning to go over the fine print in what is a still-unfinished bill.

* The problem in the House is that the Rules Committee must meet a day in advance to prepare a "rule" which governs the terms of debate of a package. Only in rare instances does the House prepare a "same-day" rule.

* When asked whether the House could start tomorrow, Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said "I don't want to rule anything in or out."

* Later when asked if the Rules Committee could meet tonight, Elshami responded "Order takeout."

Chad Pergram
Senior Producer-House of Representatives
Fox News