1.   A House-Senate conference committee deadlocked last year on the issue and mining reform died.

2.   But his committee deadlocked.

3.   If the committee deadlocked, one of the executives who had dismissed her would break the tie.

4.   The committee deadlocked on the nomination along party lines after eight days of hearings, sending it for a Senate vote without a recommendation.

5.   The ethics committee also could deadlock, which would mean the case would go to the full House without recommendation.