Tester and Frank Drive News of the Week

Frustration defined is watching the U.S. Senate trying to pass bill on the Floor. The Senate's attention this week was dedicated to the small business bill (S. 493) and government shutdown/budget talks. Sen. Jon Tester's amendment (#267) to delay implementation of the interchange debit card rules remains pending to the small business bill, but no agreement has been reached to call it up for a vote at this writing.

Sen. Tester took both to the Senate Floor and the media airwaves to tout his effort to delay and study the debit card rules. On CNBC's Squawkbox, Tester expressed confidence that he will have 60 votes in support of his amendment when called on the Floor. Sen. Richard Durbin also spoke on the Floor and with CNBC against any effort to delay implementation of his amendment.

On the House side, Rep. Barney Frank, former chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and one of the namesakes of the sweeping Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, made news by supporting legislation that would delay implementation of the Durbin Amendment. The House bill (H.R. 1081) gained more bipartisan co-sponsors this week (current total is 71). Frank's support for delay makes it a near certainty the House can pass a bill with a strong, bipartisan majority.

This takes brings us back to the Senate.. The Senate Floor schedule for next week has not been announced and it is unclear how a possible government shut down will affect Floor activity. We do know both the House and Senate are scheduled for a two week recess (Apr. 18-29). Again, a government shutdown could call into question that schedule as well.

The legislative process, above all else, requires patience sprinkled with some humor.

Tester and Frank Drive News of the Week