Brasília, 7/10/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The leaders of government-allied political parties in the Chamber of Deputies and Senate have created an 11-member commission in each house to speed up approval of social security and tax reform bills. The negotiations were coordinated by the presidents fo the Chamber, João Paulo Cunha (PT-SP) and the Senate, José Sarney (PMDB-AP), and presidential Chief of Staff, José Dirceu.

According to Sarney, the idea stemmed from a similar commission which successfully dealt with gun control. According to Sarney, the same thing can be done with social security and tax reform bills.

The government leader in the Senate, Aloizio Mercadante (PT-SP), says the commission will work to get a consensus text, which will ensure a smoother passage. He says the social security bill could be approved by the end of the month.

As for the Chamber, Cunha says the debate has already begun and that it would not be fair to continue without participation of members of the Senate. "There is no reason for the Senate to repeat the same debate. Besides a delay, it is a political inconvenience," he said.

Today a group of senators will participate in a meeting of the Chamber of Deputies commission on social security reform. (AB)