Monday, March 27, 2006

6:10 Vote on Spurgeon Nomination By a vote of 88-0, the Senate just voted to confirm the nomination of Dennis R. Spurgeon. No further roll call votes are expected today.  6:17:22 PM

5:15 Roll Call Vote on the Nomination of Dennis Spurgeon The Senate has just begun a roll call vote on the nomination of Dennis R. Spurgeon, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy). 5:18:38 PM

4:30 Senate Still in Morning Business The period of morning business was extended until 5:15.  Throughout the afternoon, Senators have come to the Floor to talk about a variety of topics. Senator Dorgan of North Dakota is currently talking about legislation dealing with sex offenders, specifically "Dru's Law".  4:33:15 PM

1:30 Senator Stevens Pays Tribute to Erma Byrd Senator Stevens of Alaska is paying tribute to the wife of Senator Robert Byrd, Erma, who passed away this past weekend. Senator Byrd and Erma had been married almost 69 years.  1:36:12 PM

1:10 Opening Remarks of Majority Leader Frist The Senate convened at 1:00 with opening remarks by Senator Frist. Senator Frist informed his colleagues that the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3:00 today and is then scheduled to debate lobbying reform legislation. A roll call vote is scheduled to take place around 5:30 this evening. Senator Frist mentioned that much of the next two weeks will be dominated by immigration reform.  Senator Frist is now talking about legislation he introduced entitled the "Securing America's Borders Act". 1:11:21 PM

11:20 Senate To Convene at 1:00 PM When the Senate returns from recess this afternoon, Senators will briefly consider the lobbying reform bill.  A final vote could come at 5:30 pm this evening, but only if an amendment to the bill banning a United Arab Emirates company from operating U.S. ports is withdrawn and debate on all other amendments is limited.  Limited time will be given to this issue as Senator Frist has announced his desire to pass immigration reform legislation before the next Senate recess begins on April 7. In Committees, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be marking up bills on a number of issues including immigration, televising Supreme Court hearings, and electronic surveillance. The Judiciary Committee is also schedule to consider a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and, on Friday, a resolution to censure President Bush. The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will markup legislation addressing foreign investment in the U.S.  The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will markup a bill to protect phone records.  A number of Budget hearings will be held this week in Appropriation Committee subcommittees including the Interior Subcommittee’s hearing with Interior Secretary Gale Norton and the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee hearing with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. 11:21:41 AM