For instance, even as negotiators accepted many of the Senate’s reduced spending provisions, they were careful to maintain an additional $6.5 billion for medical research that was inserted at the insistence of Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, who is a cancer survivor.
Neat trick that the conference committee resulted in a less expensive bill. More sausage making included perks and dubious provisions for "centrists." But, a win is a win, for someone. To be continued.