Senate defeats Democrat efforts to soften bankruptcy bill News
Senate defeats Democrat efforts to soften bankruptcy bill

[JURIST] The GOP-dominated Senate Wednesday pushed ahead proposed bankruptcy overhaul legislation [PDF] by defeating a series of Democratic amendments that would have sheltered seniors and sick people. Senators voted 59-40 [Senate roll call] to reject an amendment [text] which would have given older Americans a special exemption which would have allowed them to keep their homes even if they file for bankruptcy. Also defeated were two proposals which eased bankruptcy rules for people with significant medical expenses. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 63-32 [Senate roll call] to allow an amendment [text] which gives a break to active-duty military personnel and some veterans who file for bankruptcy. The Republican leadership, led by Senator Orrin Hatch [official website], has been attempting to keep out "killer amendments" which could jeopardized passage of the bill in the House of Representatives. AP has more.