Wednesday, March 15, 2006

5:50 Santorum Amendment Fails - No More Roll Call Votes Today By a vote of 38-60, the Santorum amendment failed. This was the last roll call vote of the day.  5:52:03 PM

5:25 Byrd Amendment on Amtrak Funding Fails By a vote of 44-53 the Byrd amendment to increase funding for Amtrak was not agreed to.  The Senate is now voting on a similar amendment sponsored by Senator Santorum.  Unlike the Byrd proposal, however, Senator Santorum's amendment does not include any offsets to pay for the increased funding. 5:32:51 PM

5:08 Senate Moves on to Amtrak Amendments By a vote of 54-44 the amendment sponsored by Senators Wyden and Snowe was agreed to. The Senate will now conduct two roll call votes relating to Amtrak. 5:10:32 PM

4:50 Nelson Proposal Fails - Senate Moves to Snowe/Wyden Amendment By a vote of 49-49, the Nelson amendment was not agreed to.  The Senate moved immediately to a vote on a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Senators Snowe and Wyden. This amendment would create a reserve fund for savings if the Senate passes legislation to permit the Health and Human Services Secretary to negotiate prices in Medicare Part D.  The Veterans Administration Secretary currently negotiates drug prices on behalf of Veterans for significant savings.  To alleviate concerns that this will result in price setting, the amendment specifies that this authority may not be used to set prices for drugs. 4:55:40 PM

4:35 Senate Voting on Nelson Medicare Amendment The Senate is now voting on an amendment offered by Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. Senator Nelson's amendment would extend the time seniors have to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan through the end of 2006.  It would also allow seniors to make a one-time change in plan enrollment at any point in 2006.   4:35:48 PM

4:30 Grassley Amendment Agreed To By a vote of 76-22, the Grassley amendment was agreed to. 4:30:24 PM

4:20 Senate Voting on Grassley Amendment The Senate is now voting on an amendment offered by Senator Grassley that would give the HHS Secretary the authority as to whether to extend the enrollment period for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.  Senator Grassley has argued that it is too early to determine whether the deadline for enrollment in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program should be extended.   4:22:29 PM

4:15 Menendez Amendment Fails The Menendez amendment failed by a vote of 43-53. The Senate will begin consideration of a pair of amendments concerning the Medicare Part D prescription drug program enrollment extension. 4:14:50 PM

3:59 McConnell-Hutchison Amendment Agreed To By a vote of 90-8, the Senate has adopted the McConnell/Hutchison port security amendment. The current vote relates to the Menendez amendment. 3:59:57 PM

3:48 Port Security Votes The Senate is currently considering two amendments related to port security.  Senators McConnell and Hutchison have offered an amendment which would provide additional funding for port security operations. The amendment does not include any offset. Senator Menendez has offered a similar amendment which would increase funding for port security by closing $965 million in corporate tax loopholes.     3:49:08 PM

3:34 Stabenow Amendment Fails Senator Stabenow’s amendment would provide $5 billion for emergency responders so that they can field interoperable communications equipment to respond to natural disasters, terrorist attacks and the public safety needs of America's communities. The amendment failed 43-57. 3:34:08 PM

1:50 Santorum Amendment Agreed To - Senate Adjourns for a Joint Session of Congress By a vote of 60-38 the Senate adopted the Santorum amendment. The Senate will now stand in recess until 3:00 for a Joint Session of Congress to hear an address by the President of Liberia. 1:54:54 PM

1:25 Amendment Fails - Senate Votes on Santorum CDBG Proposal The Murray amendment failed by a vote of 45-53. The Senate is now voting on a Santorum amendment relating to the Community Development Block Grant program.  Senator Santorum’s amendment is similar to the proposal offered by Senator Murray.  However, whereas the Murray amendment to increase funding for the CDBG program was going to be offset by closing existing tax loopholes, the Santorum amendment does not include any offset and and would be paid for by an across the board cut. 1:33:34 PM

1:00 Vote Begins on CDBG program The Senate just began its first roll call vote of the day. The vote is on an amendment introduced by Senators Murray, Leahy and Sarbanes to increase funding for Community Development Block Grant programs by $1.3 billion.  1:06:37 PM

10:25 Senator Santorum Offers CSBG Amendment Senator Santorum is offering an amendment that would restore funding ($1.3 billion) for the Community Service Block Grant program.  The program was cut in the President's FY07 budget proposal.  This would be offset by an across the board cut to all programs.  Senator Santorum argued that this amendment would show appropriators that this program is a priority. 10:28:50 AM

9:40 Senator Nelson Offers Medicare Amendment Senator Bill Nelson has offered an amendment that would create a reserve fund that would allow the Finance Committee extend the annual open enrollment period for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan through all of 2006 (currently seniors will be financially penalized if they do not enroll by May 15).  The amendment would also allow beneficiaries to change plans once at any point during 2006.  He explained that the beginning of the Medicare prescription drug benefit has been confusing for seniors and people with disabilities.  Beneficiaries face a number of prescription drug options and choosing a plan is a challenge for beneficiaries, particularly those who are frail or living with problems like dementia.  Senator Nelson argued that seniors citizens deserve a break and said this amenment would ease the pressure for beneficiaries.  9:40:07 AM

9:30 Senator Kyl Introduces Immigration Amendment Senator Kyl started off the morning by introducing his amendment on immigration.  He was followed up by Senator Cornyn, a co-sponsor, who offered comments about the need for the federal government to invest in border enforcement.  In opposition, Senator Conrad said he does not have any problem with this amendment's policy, but says that there is no money to fund it.  He explained that funding for other important programs, such as defense, homeland security, and law enforcement, will have to be reduced to pay for this amendment. 9:31:08 AM

9:20 Senate Convenes; Resumes Consideration of Budget Resolution The Senate convened at 9:00 am this morning and resumed consideration of the Budget Resolution.  This morning, Senators Kyl, Grassley, Nelson (FL), and Santorum are offering amendments.  At 1:00 pm, 1 or 2 votes on these amendments are expected.  There will be a joint meeting with the House from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm for an address by the President of Liberia.  At 3:00 pm, votes will resume.  Ten roll call votes are currently expected today with more possible. 9:28:17 AM