Hoover Dam bill nears final passage

A bill authorizing the the distribution of electricity from Hoover Dam for another 50 years took another step forward when it passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

The legislation by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., passed without dissent.  It was returned to the House after the Senate made several technical changes.  House lawmakers had approved it earlier this month.

House Republican leaders on Wednesday were seeking to accept the latest version of the bill without having to take another vote, and were working to clear that with Democrats, according to GOP aides.  If there is agreement, the bill would be sent to the White House to be signed into law.