U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid abruptly stopped debate on Thursday on a $920 billion economic stimulus bill, but said lawmakers would resume work on Friday in their drive for a bipartisan agreement. Reid had said earlier in the day that he believed he had the votes to pass the measure and hoped to do so within hours. He said he would try again on Friday and remained hopeful.
"I'm cautiously optimistic," said Reid.
The Nevada Democratic said if there is no progress on Friday, however, he would file a motion to set up a showdown procedural vote for Sunday on the White House-backed measure.
Reid has said he's confident he can muster the 60 votes that would be needed in the 100-member chamber to move to end debate and head toward a vote on passage of the bill.
"I wish I had all the answers, but the answers are not here tonight. I think the answers are coming forth rapidly," Reid said. "I think staying here later tonight would not benefit us."
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