Brasília, 9/25/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Chamber of Deputies concluded a second vote on the principal text of the government's tax reform bill in the early morning hours of today. The bill was approved by a vote of 346 to 92 [as it involves constitutional changes, the government needs at least 308 votes to get approval]. In the vote this morning, the government and its allies voted down attempts by opposition parties to remove a tax on airplanes and ships, and postpone the extension of the financial transaction tax (CPMF) for four years.

With that vote completed the bill can now go directly to the Senate's Commission on Constitution and Justice for voting. If approved it will go to the Senate floor for two votes. If changes are made to the bill in the Senate, it will have to return to the Chamber of Deputies for two more votes there.

Government leaders say they are willing to accept improvements to the bill by the Senate.

It should be noted that the bill which goes to the Senate today is already very different from the one that was formally delivered to the Chamber of Deputies by president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and all the state governors in April. (AB)