The Senate decided last night to put off until next Tuesday further debate on the bill setting the 1999 National Budget. The current version of the bill is the product of a compromise hammered out recently between a Senate-Chamber of Deputies joint committee and the Fernández Government. The bill was passed almost immediately by the Chamber of Deputies last Friday. Senate President Alburquerque, a key player in winning the compromise, had hoped to win Senate passage for the bill this week. He was frustrated in his attempt by senators demanding more time to study the compromise, especially how it would benefit individual provinces. Alluding to the commitment to the compromise made by the bicameral committee, Alburquerque warned that the Senate cannot agree to one thing today and then ask for another tomorrow. Senator José Rafael Abinader, who was also part of the budget negotiations, warned his fellow senators against seeking amendments to the bill. Any such changes risk being rejected by the Chamber of Deputies, because agreeing to Senate changes would require the vote of 2/3 of the Deputies.
