Tuesday, March 07, 2006

6:40 LIHEAP Bill Passes By Voice Vote By a vote of 68-31, the Snowe 2nd degree amendment was agreed to.  Immediately after that vote, the Senate passed the LIHEAP bill (S.2320) by voice vote.  The Senate will now resume consideration of the lobbying reform bill.   6:48:11 PM

6:20 Senate Voting on 2nd Degree Amendment to LIHEAP Bill The Senate is now voting on a 2nd degree amendment to S. 2320, the LIHEAP funding bill, proposed by Senator Olympia Snowe.  Senator Snowe’s amendment would mandate that of the $1 billion in LIHEAP funds provided under this bill, $500 million would be allocated to States under the block grant formula and $500 million would be distributed on an as needed emergency basis. 6:22:55 PM

5:40 Senator Leahy Remembers Christopher and Dana Reeve Senator Leahy came to the Floor to pay tribute to Dana Reeve. Senator Leahy remarked on how sad it is to have to say goodbye to two good people, Dana and her husband Chris, both taken so early.  Senator Leahy's complete statement can be read at http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200603/030706a.html   6:09:50 PM

4:00 Senator Obama Urges the Senate to Enact Strong Lobbying Reform Senator Obama of Illinois just came to the Floor to deliver a long speech on the need for Congress to enact ethics and lobbying reform. Senator Obama believes we are witnessing a crisis of corruption and a crisis of confidence. He stated that the American people are tired of Washington favoring those with the most cash and right connections.   Senator Obama believes that what is most offensive about the scandals we have seen involving lobbyists and former members of Congress, is that these scandals don't just lead to morally offensive conduct on the part of politicians; they lead to morally offensive legislation that hurts hard-working Americans. Senator Obama went on to discuss the need for independent enforcement mechanisms. Senator Obama has introduced legislation to establish a Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission.    4:32:15 PM

2:35 Senator Kerry Remembers Dana Reeve Senator Kerry is currently speaking on the Floor about the tragic death of Dana Reeve, widow of the late actor Christopher Reeve. Senator Kerry is remembering Dana Reeve as a crusader and passionate advocate, an accomplished actress and singer, and a loving and supportive wife.  Senator Kerry is describing Dana's work to advance stem-cell research, and about the founding, with her husband, of the Christopher Reeve Foundation.  2:42:29 PM

11:45 Senate Invokes Cloture on LIHEAP Bill By a vote of 75-25, the Senate voted to invoke cloture on the LIHEAP bill. 11:45:25 AM

11:10 Senate Voting to Invoke Cloture on LIHEAP The Senate is now voting to invoke cloture on the LIHEAP bill. 11:09:33 AM

10:00 Majority Leader Announces Senate Consideration of Flag Amendment Majority Leader Frist announced that prior to July 4, the Senate will consider adding the Flag Protection Amendment as an amendment to the Constitution.  The proposed amendment is a one-sentence statement that reads, "The Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."  The amendment would not in itself change the current law, but would allow Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the desecration of an American flag. 10:11:06 AM

9:50 LIHEAP Cloture Vote Expected This Morning A vote to end debate on the LIHEAP bill is expected at 10:45 a.m. this morning.  Senators Snowe and Ensign will each speak on the bill prior to the vote.  Following the vote, the Senate will resume debate on new lobbying rules.  In Committee work, two panels will examine hurricane recovery.  The Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas will be witnesses in the Appropriations Committee.  The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will examine the emergency response of community organizations. 10:01:05 AM