Reid was identified as a potential suspect in 2004 but his DNA was not taken and he was not charged.

BBC: Met officers face action over rape inquiry failures

Another potential obstacle for Reid is moderate Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who said Sunday he cannot support the Senate bill without tighter restrictions on federal funding for abortion.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Senators Reid and McConnell are discussing a potential agreement where we can get a bipartisan bill out of the Senate, over to the House and done in a timely fashion so that we've met the December 31st deadline.

WHITEHOUSE: Statement by the President