D.C. Vote Bill Wins Big in Senate Panel

Collins, the top Republican on the committee, said she expects a filibuster, which "will be difficult to overcome."

But, she added, the bill's chances of passing the Senate improved because of two amendments she introduced yesterday. One would provide for expedited judicial review of the bill if it is challenged after becoming law. The other clarifies that the D.C. vote bill does not provide senators for the District.

Both amendments passed overwhelmingly.

Warner said he had not decided whether he would join a filibuster.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), the original architect of the D.C.-Utah bill, said he had asked Warner not to support a filibuster but to let the bill go to a vote by simple majority on the Senate floor. Davis said he thought enough Republicans could be rounded up to reach the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster, but "it's going to be close."

In addition to Warner, four Republican committee members who were not present for the actual vote expressed their opposition to the bill yesterday by casting symbolic "proxy" votes. They were Tom Coburn (Okla.), Pete V. Domenici (N.M.), Ted Stevens (Alaska) and John E. Sununu (N.H.).

Democrats joining in the 9 to 1 vote included Daniel K. Akaka (Hawaii), Mary L. Landrieu (La.), Carl Levin (Mich.), Barack Obama (Ill.) and Jon Tester (Mont.).Three Democrats who were not in attendance supported the bill by proxy.

Despite the hurdles ahead, supporters said the vote showed that the bill is gaining momentum.

"It looks like this bill is about to be born," exulted Norton, adding that Lieberman had gotten the legislation through committee "with uncommon speed for the Senate."