Can Options Reform Survive Congress?

That route is politically dangerous, though. Even though they might support Enzi's bill, many senators might be unwilling to circumvent a committee chairman.

"I think that will be the first area of attack" for Enzi and his allies, said one Senate staff member, who requested anonymity. But "a lot of folks will be leery of that approach," he conceded.

Then there's the political factor. Voting for Enzi's bill could be a double-edged sword. While it might bring with it cash and the backing of the tech industry, political opponents also might be able use the senators' support for the Enzi bill as a weapon against them, warned the staffer, whose senator opposes Enzi's measure.

"If someone is running in a tight race, [voting for the Enzi bill] could be the worst thing they could do," the staffer said. "They would show themselves to be beholden to corporate interests."

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