Legislative leaders on Beacon Hill believe they have narrow majorities in both chambers to give Governor Deval Patrick the power to appoint an interim US senator, in a sign that the controversial measure may pass. But the bill must still survive Republican attempts to delay or kill it through parliamentary maneuvers.In a key development, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, who has been publicly noncommittal, made a decision to back the proposal and was privately calling members yesterday to make the case. House vote-counters said support among lawmakers numbers in the mid-80s - more than enough in the 160-member body.
Patrick has signaled privately that he’d like to sign the bill by Friday and make an appointment within days, possibly having an interim senator in place by next week.
But in the other chamber, Senate President Therese Murray has remained far more reserved in her support, talking with senators but not advocating for the change, according to Senate sources.
One high-ranking Senate official familiar with the vote count said the numbers are there for passage - but narrowly. It is that chamber that Republican Richard Tisei, the Senate minority leader, will try to table the bill with the hopes of delaying it beyond its usefulness, or shaming Democrats who are on the fence over to his side.
“The fact that they think this is going to move like a knife through a stick of butter - that this is going to be a ‘shazamm’ bill that goes through - well, it’s not,’’ Tisei said in an interview last night. “We’re going to slow it down.’’
Republicans don’t oppose the concept of an interim senator, but they think it’s unfair for Democrats to change the law for this appointment.
Murray and DeLeo both declined to comment last night.
UPDATE: Please be sure to listen to The Notes Wednesday night at 8:00pm EST on Blog Talk Radio! Plus, more from Howie Carr, Scot Lehigh and the Globe.