Brasília, 8/28/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday, in a second vote, the Chamber of Deputies approved the government's Social Security reform bill, by 357 to 123, with 6 abstentions. Now the bill goes to the Senate for two more votes.

The only way the bill can get final congressional approval this year is if the Senate does not make any changes to it. If changes are made the bill has to go back to the Chamber of Deputies and go through two votes all over again. (AB)