Looks like there is a deal.

[Torie]

What are the odds this doesn't pass the House?

It's going to pass. Why do I know that? Because it is coming up for a vote in the House in 15 minutes. I guess the parties worked out who gets to vote no.

On the other hand, the Pubbies just announced that a majority of their caucus will vote yes, and will call for a recess if the Dems come up short. So ... I guess we are in for a bit more drama.  The Pubbies want a lot more than 66 Dems to vote yes I guess. But it will pass in the end.

[Torie]

I wonder if the even Dem split was part of a deal, or an accident?  The Dems did hold back their votes in large numbers until the end.

The Budget Control Act of 2011 has just passed the House 269-161. In the end, Republicans provided about two-thirds of the yes votes, along with 66 of the nays, while the Democratic caucus split right down the middle, 95-95. The Senate will vote tomorrow."