Back in the United States, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a cloture vote today to proceed with debate on a financial reform bill. Democrats will ultimately need the support of at least one Republican to avoid a filibuster. The vote comes as Democrats continue to negotiate over how the measure will address the trading of derivatives. The Wall Street Journal reports Berkshire Hathaway, the firm of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, has heavily lobbied for exempting current derivatives contracts from the new rules. Berkshire has over $63 billion worth of derivatives on its books.