While H.R. 333 is very similar to the Senate bill, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and currently being debated by the full Senate, there are some differences that will have to be reconciled in a House-Senate conference. The Senate voted to invoke cloture on March 14th, thereby limiting germane and non-germane amendments and clearing the way for final passage. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott conceded that the bankruptcy legislation is bound for conference committee, given the degree to which the Senate bill now differs from a House-passed version. I think we're getting closer. The latest proposal calls for an equal number of Democratic and Republican senators on most conferences committees.
Democrats are wary of the plan, however.
They are concerned that Republicans will refuse to compromise during conferences, allowing Lott to impose the Republican agenda on the Senate. A parallel but slightly less stringent bill was passed by the Senate in September, 1998. The Senate and House versions were then reconciled just before Congress adjourned in October, 1998. The House approved the reconciled legislation but the Senate never voted on the final bill and it died on the Senate floor. Similar legislation was introduced in 1999.