Senate fails to cut off debate on withholding

By a single vote, the Senate failed to limit debate on an amendment to the $5 .1 billion jobs bill that would repeal tax withholding on dividends and interest , a temporary defeat for the banking industry and its congressional supporters.

The effect of the 59-39 vote in favor of cloture - one vote shy of the 60 necessary - was to send Senate leaders back behind closed doors to find a way out of a parliamentary quagmire threatening the jobs bill and unemployment benefits to people in 27 states.