As Senators rushed for the exits on Thursday afternoon after approving a budget plan for the rest of the fiscal year, it turned out the best show was still to come on the Senate floor.
The fun began when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tried to lay the groundwork for final action on a small business bill that has been on the floor for weeks, but instead found himself tangled in a dispute with Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
Snowe refused to go along with an agreement to move to a final vote, demanding that an amendment she wants to offer on ways to reduce federal regulations get a vote as well.
Reid refused, Snowe stood her ground, as the Senate sort of stumbled into the Easter break.
"We've worked very hard to get this bill done," Reid said, needling Snowe for bringing up a plan that he said was not directly related to the small business bill.
"This bill will not go forward," Reid said flatly.
Snowe disputed that, arguing that regulations on businesses are most certainly relevant to a small business bill.
"If you would ask the small business community exactly what is their major priority in the United States Congress, it would be regulatory reform," Snowe said, calling federal rules some of the "most onerous burdens placed on small businesses today."
"What could be more important at a time when we are struggling to create jobs?" Snowe added.
Reid was not only unmoved, he threatened to deep-six the underlying bill.
"I'm disappointed my friend from Maine is killing this legislation," said Reid.
The Senate returns to work on May 2 - whether the small business bill gets new life isn't clear - but Senators will have over two weeks to cool off and try again.
The House also leaves town today for the Easter Break, and will be back the week of May 2.
Will the budget still be the big story then? Or will gas prices be the main issue?
What if we have $5/gallon before Memorial Day?
It could be an interesting time in the political world ahead.
