Senate to vote on $27 billion in aid for desperate states

Lawmakers will take a procedural vote on Wednesday. It needs 60 votes to pass, meaning some Republicans would have to cross the aisle. If it passes this hurdle, a final vote could come late in the week, just before the Senate is scheduled to recess for the long August break.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had pushed back the vote by two days to amend the legislation after learning it would increase the deficit by $4.9 billion despite offset measures. The amended bill has no impact on the deficit.

The GOP, however, is not taking kindly to sending more aid to the states, saying the original $787 billion stimulus package was meant to do that. 

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