ODD DEFINITION OF BIPARTISAN THEY'VE GOT THERE:

Hang-up for higher minimum wage (Margaret Talev, 2/02/07, McClatchy Newspapers)

The sticking point between the two versions, which must be reconciled in a conference committee, is $8.3 billion in Republican-backed tax breaks for small businesses in the Senate version.

House liberals argue that now that they're in charge they shouldn't have to cut deals with the Republicans.

Senate Democrats have said that without the tax breaks, they can't pass the bill because there's not a big enough majority to overcome Republican obstruction.

President Bush said the tax breaks are the price of his support for raising the minimum wage.

"I strongly encourage the House to support this combined minimum-wage increase and small-business tax relief," Bush said after the Senate vote.

If House and Senate Democrats don't compromise, the minimum-wage increase might die.