[Nate tha\\\' Great]

[ QUOTE ]
My source in Washington just told me Frist is now definitely trying to attach it to the Homeland Security bill.

I am not sure how current my contact's information is.

[/ QUOTE ]

He might be, since Hastert is now trying to use the DHS bill for his riders too. However, CongressDaily PM reports:

" Senate Judiciary Chairman Specter is threatening to remove his signature from the FY07 Homeland Security appropriations conference report if House GOP leaders insist on adding more immigration-related legislation, possibly sinking the bill's chances for passage before the elections. He stated his intention in a letter today to House Speaker Hastert, Senate Majority Leader Frist and top GOP appropriators. Specter, a senior appropriator, signed off on the report when conferees approved it Monday night. "Operating in good faith, I was asked to sign the conference report with the understanding that the conference report was closed," Specter wrote. "I would like to state for the record my strong opposition to any changes to the agreed-upon conference report."
Hastert was holding back appropriators from filing the $34.8 billion spending bill until negotiators resolve whether to include House-passed bills on alien gang violence and court security in the spending bill or the defense authorization bill. Both House bills are within the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction, and Specter and others have expressed opposition to the effort. Including the additional measures in the Homeland Security bill also might prompt Democratic conferees to remove their signatures. "What is this, the Soviet parliament? The leadership will make decisions behind closed doors, regardless of the rules?" asked House Appropriations ranking member David Obey, D-Wis. Hastert contended that he has received promises from Senate leaders to move the legislation one way or another."

Also of note:

"The Senate today kicked off debate on a contentious stand-alone military tribunal measure after Majority Leader Frist and Minority Leader Reid reached an agreement on a handful of amendments and limited debate. Frist said earlier today he would push the chamber to quickly wrap up debate on the legislation as early as tonight without amending the package. "I hope none of the amendments pass," Frist told reporters before announcing the deal.

[...]

Meanwhile, Frist today said he has four legislative goals to accomplish before adjourning Friday or Saturday: the military tribunal and border fence bills, as well as conference reports on FY07 Homeland Security and Defense spending measures. House and Senate Republicans have given up on enacting legislation addressing the president's domestic spying program. And the clock is ticking down on a conference report for the FY07 defense authorization bill."

Summary: the fight over non-germane riders has now moved from the defense authorization bill to DHS appropriations bill, although it is not clear if internet gabmling is a part of it. Fortunately, it looks like it may meet the same result. Other avenues for Frist are probably closed.

Left to intertial forces, this Congress will get very little done this week, and we will probably pass through to the elections unscathed. However, tidal shifts and deal-making of various kinds are certainly possible, which I will leave it to others to speculate about.

One thing's for sure -- if we make it through the year without internet gambling language being enacted, we will owe a big thank you to Senators Warner and Specter.