(The Politico) Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) returned to the Capitol Wednesday night to vote on legislation that would make it easier for people to sue for wage discrimination, amidst charges from Republicans that Democrats kept the chamber shut for most of the day in order to accommodate their schedules.

Despite Obama and Clinton's best efforts, a measure to end debate on the bill only received 56 votes, 4 short of the 60 necessary to end debate and proceed to a vote on the bill.

Throughout the day, the partisan fighting erupted on two fronts, with both parties squabbling over the substance of the bill and on the Democrats' decision to keep the Senate in recess until 5pm to allow the candidates time to return to Washington.

"To have the schedule of the Senate revolve around the schedule of the presidential candidates strikes me as particularly ridiculous," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in an afternoon press conference next to the closed Senate chamber.

An hour later, Senate Democrats held a press conference of their own, saying that Republicans should have no problem with waiting a few hours to take up the bill. Democrats also argued that because of procedural rules, the Senate would not have been allowed to hold votes until late in the afternoon anyway.

"It is hard to believe that the party that is about delay and obstruction is complaining about a few hours," said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) did not return for the vote.
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