So states this press release from the ACLU. I don’t know if that means no amendments at all. But if it does, and the full Senate approves the measure with no amendments, the House and Senate should be able to avoid a conference.
This result is very interesting. I’m still trying to learn what happened to the concerns raised by some senators on the committee about renewal.
I expect a race to the courthouse among plaintiffs to challenge section 5 (and possibly section 203) after President Bush signs the renewed VRA into law.
UPDATE: According to this CQ report (subscription required), Sen. Coburn’s amendment to change the section 203 language provisions was defeated, and the only amendment was an amendment by Sen Leahy at the request of Sen. Salazar to add Cesar Chavez’s name to the measure. Presumably this can be done without a conference…