Barney Frank actually said...

When did I suddenly require the ability to stop the House Republicans under Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey from doing anything?

The only people who really seem to care about the deficit these days are a group of moderate Democrats who are the blue dogs.

The chairmanship does not come with the power to command people how to vote.

I think it is likelier to pass than before. But the major difference, frankly, is not what the Senate did, to be honest.