One Democratic senator, Zell Miller of Georgia, favors the Bush tax cut, but he was absent for today's vote.

Many senators favor emergency aid on the order of $35 billion, much of it for Medicaid costs.

Many senators, including Mr. McCain, favor the House version.

As before, all 57 Democratic senators favored the bill today, joined by eight Republicans.

The senators directing the nomination proceedings favor the bill, which they sponsored.

His spokesman, Matt Raymond, said the senator favored Medicare coverage of prescription drugs in principle but had not seen legislation he could support.

On the other hand, most Democratic senators and many Democratic representatives favor legislation that would be even tougher than the McCain bill.

Mr. D'Amato said he knew from a test vote earlier that at least 68 senators favored his proposal.

Prominent senators of both parties favor such steps in principle.

Many senators, including Republicans, also favor the Canadian initiative.