Despite a lack of support from most Senate Republicans, the Senate managed to pass a key procedural test yesterday when it voted 61-38 to end debate and hold a final vote on an $838 billion version of the economic stimulus bill. The majority vote was one more than the two-thirds majority needed to avoid a possible filibuster. The full Senate is expected approve the measure in a final vote today.

All 56 Democrats, two independents and three Republicans voted for the compromise version of the bill that was unveiled late Friday. Republicans voting for the bill, were Susan Collins (R-ME), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Arlen Specter (R-PA). All three were key negotiators who worked to develop the compromise that reduced the total cost of the bill by more than $100 billion.

Additionally, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) came to Washington to vote for the bill. Kennedy has been undergoing treatment for brain cancer and has not made it back to the Capitol since he collapsed at a inauguration luncheon.

Assuming the Senate is successful in passing the bill today, House and Senate negotiators are expected to immediately begin ironing out the differences between their two versions of the bill. The two chambers must then approve the compromise so the bill can be signed into law.

President Barack Obama is eager to sign the bill into law. He traveled the country and held a press conference yesterday to appeal to the American people to support the bill.

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