Ensign: Senate Democrats may grab 60 seats

WASHINGTON -- Nevada Sen. John Ensign, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, on Tuesday acknowledged Democrats have a chance to reach 60 seats in the Senate on Nov. 4, which would allow them to pass legislation over the objections of Republicans.

"To say whether they're going to end up with 60 votes at the U.S. Senate is unpredictable. Is it possible? It is possible," Ensign said during an appearance at the National Press Club.

Ensign said Democrats may not even need 60 seats to get their way on most issues.

Even if Democrats end up with only 57 or 58 Senate seats, that majority plus a few Republican supporters on individual issues likely would be enough to override any filibuster.

Ensign said stronger Democrat control of the chamber could result in a new ban on oil drilling, higher taxes, more federal spending, and legislation that would allow labor unions to organize workplaces without secret-ballot elections.

But although many analysts are predicting big losses for Republicans, Ensign said it's also possible the GOP will lose only three to five Senate seats.

Ensign spoke at an event with Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who is chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Schumer agreed that it is possible for Democrats to reach 60 Senate seats.

"But given the red terrain we're fighting in, it's very difficult," Schumer said, referring to Senate races in Georgia, Mississippi and Kentucky.

Schumer charged special interest groups funded by the oil industry, corporations and "gambling interests," have spent $30 million on television ads for Republican candidates running for the Senate.

For the second time this month, Schumer said the conservative group Freedom's Watch is supported by "casino interests." Although Schumer did not name him, he was referring to Las Vegas Sands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson.

Currently, there are 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans in the Senate. Democrats maintain a slim majority because Independents Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont caucus with Democrats.

The last time Democrats had a dominant majority in the Senate was 1978 when they had 61 senators.

Ensign denied reports that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is pulling out of Colorado and Louisiana. He said Republicans could pull off upsets in those two states as well as New Hampshire.

On another issue, Ensign was asked why he continues to block a bill that would require senators to file campaign disclosure information electronically.

Ensign said he supports electronic disclosure. But he added he will not release his hold until Democrats allow a vote on an amendment that would require nonprofit groups that file ethics complaints against senators to disclose their donors.

"I'm pretty sure the amendment will be defeated, but I want a vote on that amendment," Ensign said.

Asked to name any senator who is accused of being the target of an ethics probe, Ensign said, "there are many, many cases," but did not mention names.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.