On Friday, when Gramm rose to block the measure, it was more with a whimper than a bang.

CNN: Sighs and whimpers

House Democrats, however, say the deal includes an estate tax that is too generous to the wealthy, and they have threatened to block the measure.

FORBES: Obama Meets With CEOs

Even if the government manages to push the liberalization through, India's states must ratify the decision, giving local authorities such as Ms. Banerjee's in West Bengal another way to block the measure.

WSJ: Hurdles Slow India Retail Plan

To block such a measure, Daschle and the Democrats are sharpening their partisan shivs, threatening a string of amendments that would tie up the Senate chamber indefinitely.

CNN: Fasten your seat belts

It ran for 75 days in an effort to block or dilute the measure that the House had passed by better than 2 to1.

NPR: In Filibuster Fight, Both Parties Switch Stances

Two House committees have passed a bill drafted by Democrats, but a third -- the Energy and Commerce Committee -- has been delayed by cost concerns raised by the Blue Dogs, who hold enough seats on the panel to block passage of the measure.

CNN: House health-care negotiations end night without a deal

Democrats need 60 votes to block a filibuster on any measure they want to bring to the Senate floor.

FORBES: Automakers

Mr. Obama said he had objected to language in the measure that he believed could have been used to block abortion rights and that the state already had legislation in place protecting infants.

WSJ: Philadelphia Abortion Doctor Gosnell Convicted of Murder

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, warned Thursday that several caucus members might try to block the House bill if it's changed to conform to the Senate measure.

CNN: Abortion threatens House health care bill