Sarah Abruzzese reports:

A government plane will ferry Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) back to Washington from his mother's wake in Ohio in time to vote tonight, courtesy of the White House.

Brown won’t even be leaving until viewing hours end at 8 p.m. He then travels back to Washington votes and flies back for his mother’s funeral tomorrow morning

Sen. Ted Kennedy’s office said he isn’t expected back for the vote tonight. “Sen. Kennedy is continuing his treatment and physical rehabilitation in warmer weather. He’ll be traveling back and forth until the weather gets warmer here but will probably not return since his vote isn’t needed for final passage,” Anthony Coley, his communications director said.

Meanwhile, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) will vote and run -- so he can get on a plane to the Middle East. Kerry will be visiting: Egypt, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.