WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Tuesday secured the 60 votes he needs in the Senate to pass a sweeping overhaul of financial regulations, all but ensuring that he soon will sign into law one of the top initiatives of his presidency.
With the votes in hand to overcome Republican stalling tactics, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took steps to end debate on the bill Thursday, setting the stage for final passage perhaps later in the day. The House has passed the bill.
“This reform is good for families, it is good for businesses, it’s good for the entire economy,” Obama said as he prodded the Senate to act quickly.
Its passage would represent a signature achievement for Obama just four months after he signed the health bill into law.
Support for the overhaul jelled Tuesday after conservative Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska announced he would vote for the bill after raising concerns the previous day.
