Options Expensing Bill's Prospects Dim

Efforts to pass H.R. 1372 and S. 979 ("The Broad Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act") appear to be faltering. Although the House bill now has over 50 bipartisan sponsors, and the Senate bill has some of the most notable members supporting it, the chairs of the committees where the bills now reside have not indicated any eagerness to move the bills. Many members of Congress would be reluctant to take sides on the issue. Supporting expensing would antagonize some industry constituents, but opposing it could seem to be taking a stand against corporate reform.