Senate Dems Clear Key Hurdle On Wall Street Reform

Democrats just overcame their last major financial reform hurdle. By a vote of 60-38, the Senate ended debate on the final Wall Street reform legislation. Moderate Republicans Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, and Scott Brown voted with the Democrats. Liberal Democrat Russ Feingold voted with the Republicans, on the grounds that the bill won’t be effective. That clears the way for a final vote on passage — majority rules threshold — this afternoon shortly after 2 pm. This one’s as good as done.