Monday, April 03, 2006

6:25 Senate Agrees to Alexander Amendment By a vote of 91-1, the Senate adopted the Alexander amendment to the Border Security bill.  There will be no further votes tonight, although Senators continue to debate the bill on the floor.  Senator Obama is now speaking about the immigration protests that have taken place around the country.  He hopes that immigration can be an issue that is addressed in a way that unites this country, and not divides it because of fear. 6:28:32 PM

5:55 Bingaman Amendment Passes - Senate Voting on Alexander Proposal By a vote of 84-6, the Senate adopted the Bingaman amendment.  The Senate is now voting on an amendment proposed by Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. Senator Alexander said his amendment will shorten the green card residency requirement from five years to four years for those naturalization candidates that can speak fluent English. He said his amendment will also provide grants to organizations to offer courses in American history and civics to legal residents. 6:05:29 PM

5:35 Roll Call Vote on Bingaman Amendment Now Underway The Senate has just begun a roll call vote on an amendment proposed by Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico.  This amendment would authorize the Department of Homeland Security to provide grants to local law enforcement agencies between Fiscal Year 2007 and Fiscal Year 2011 to combat crime related to illegal border crossings.  Priority would be given to less populated areas within 100 miles of the Canadian or Mexican border. 5:36:32 PM

5:05 Senator Kyl Describes the Kyl-Cornyn Immigration Bill Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona has come to the Floor to describe immigration legislation which he and Senator John Cornyn have introduced.  This is an alternative proposal to the bill currently being debated on the Floor.  Senator Kyl is discussing some of the key components of their legislation. In short, he stated that it provides for enforcement at the workplace and enforcement at the border, while treating people humanely. 5:11:34 PM

4:15 Senator Mikulski Debates Amendment on H-2B Visa Program Senator Mikulski of Maryland just came to the Floor to discuss a bipartisan amendment she has introduced, which addresses the H-2B seasonal worker visa program.  During her remarks, Senator Mikulski clamed that the H-2B program has kept small and seasonal businesses afloat when they face seasonal worker shortages. Senator Mikuskli stated that many businesses would go under if they were not able to get the seasonal workers they need.   4:37:47 PM

2:05 Senator Specter Begins Today's Session The Senate just convened with some opening remarks by Judiciary Committee Chairman, Arlen Specter.  Senator Specter urged his colleagues to bring any amendments they may have on the immigration bill to the Floor to be debated.  Senator Specter informed his colleagues that they should expect a very busy week with many roll call votes in relation to the immigration reform legislation. 2:08:59 PM

Senate Expected to Meet at 2:00 The Senate will convene today at 2:00 when it will resume consideration of S.2454, the Securing America's Borders Act. The issue of immigration reform is expected to dominate the Senate’s floor agenda for the duration of this week.  The first two roll call votes of the week are expected to occur this evening around 5:30. In Committee news, the Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to meet tomorrow afternoon to complete work on the President’s Fiscal Year 2006 supplemental budget request.  The supplemental request contains funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and some funding for humanitarian programs, specifically in Asia and Africa. Contained within the proposed spending package is also $19.8 billion to rebuild areas in the Gulf Coast devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  The full Senate is expected to take action on the supplemental request following the two-week Easter recess.  1:41:30 PM