Thursday, March 02, 2006

5:10 Senate Votes to Proceed Forward with LIHEAP Bill By a vote of 66-31, the Senate voted to waive the budget point of order on the LIHEAP bill. 5:12:29 PM

4:12 Senate is Now Voting to Waive Budget Point of Order on the LIHEAP Bill The Senate is now voting to waive the budget point of order on a bill that would provide $1 billion in additional funds for LIHEAP. 4:15:24 PM

3:30 Patriot Act Conference Report Agreed To By a vote of 89-10, the Patriot Act conference report was agreed to.  Senator Frist filed cloture on the LIHEAP bill and announced that a vote will occur in 30 minutes.  A budget point of order was brought against the legislation and Senator Snowe asked that this motion be waived.  Senators are now debating this bill.  3:35:58 PM

3:05 Senate Now Voting on Patriot Act Conference Report The Senate is now voting on the Patriot Act conference report. 3:06:31 PM

3:00 Senator Leahy on the Patriot Act Senator Patrick Leahy's completed prepared remarks on the Patriot Act Conference Report can be found at: http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200603/030206e.html. 3:05:43 PM

1:05 Democratic Leader Announces Support for Patriot Act Conference Report The Minority Leader, Senator Harry Reid, announced that, in light of the improvements to the Patriot Act Conference Report passed yesterday that will strengthen civil liberties protections, he will now vote in favor of conference report.  1:08:12 PM

12:20 Senator Kyl on Patriot Act Reauthorization Bill Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona came to the Floor to talk about the importance of the Patriot Act Reauthorization bill, which he believes is critical for the defense of our country and security of our nation. Senator Kyl predicts that the reauthorization bill will be approved overwhelmingly when the Senate votes on it in a couple of hours. Senator Kyl said that the war against terrorism is not a war to be fought with tanks and ships and planes but with good intelligence.  Senator Kyl said it is critical that we find out who the terrorists are, what they are up to, and determine whether or not the U.S. is able to stop the attacks before they occur.   12:41:40 PM

10:55 Senator Vitter Discusses Lobbying Reform Senator David Vitter of Louisiana is currently talking about the importance of Congress taking up lobbying reform following the scandals we have seen in recent months. Senator Vitter discussed the issue of campaign contributions from Indian tribes, as well as the issue of Members' spouses lobbying members of Congress during the course of his remarks. Senator Vitter appreciates all of the work that is being undertaken in the area of lobbying reform. This week two Senate Committees held meetings in which lobbying and ethics reform legislation was the central order of business.  11:03:18 AM

10:25 Senator Hutchison Celebrates Her Home State of Texas Senate Kay Bailey Hutchison came to the Floor this morning to commemorate Texas Independence Day, which is today, March 2nd. Senator Hutchison said that today is the 170th Anniversary of the Signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.  Texas was a republic for ten years before joining the United States. Senator Hutchison said that Texans celebrate this day every single year, because they know that fighting for freedom has made a difference in what Texas is.  10:47:58 AM

9:30 Senate Reconvenes The Senate met at 9:30 this morning and is now in a period of morning business. Thereafter, Senators will resume consideration of the conference report accompanying the Patriot Act Reauthorization bill, H.R.3199.  The time until the vote will be equally divided between both parties.  A roll call vote on final passage of H.R.3199 is set for 3:00 this afternoon. After completing work on the Patriot Act Reauthorization bill, the Senate is expected to begin consideration of a bill to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 9:38:25 AM