Tuesday, September 05, 2006

6:20 Senators Feinstein and Leahy Offer Amendment to FY07 Defense Spending bill Senators Feinstein and Leahy offered an amendment to the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill which would prohibit the use of the money in the bill to purchase cluster bombs, until rules restricting their use are written. 6:25:38 PM

6:05 Ms. Moore Confirmed for Circuit Judge Nomination By a vote 92-0, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Kimberly Ann Moore to be US Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. 6:05:51 PM

5:30 Senate Now Voting on Judicial Nomination The Senate is now voting on the nomination of Kimberly Ann Moore of Virginia to be a US Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. 5:36:05 PM

5:00 Senate Turns to the Consideration of Judicial Nomination At 4:30, the Senate turned to the consideration of Kimberly Ann Moore, of Virginia, to be a US Circuit Court Judge for the Federal Circuit.  The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Specter, urged his colleagues to confirm Ms. Moore for the position citing her degrees from MIT and Georgetown, work at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, experience clerking for the Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and teaching experience at Chicago Kent College of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, and George Mason University School of Law.  The Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy, concurred with Senator Specter and echoed Senator Reid's statement from earlier about the need to address the real problems facing the American people during the few remaining days of this Congress. 5:34:19 PM

4:00 Two Amendments Offered During Debate on FY07 Defense Appropriations Bill At 2:30, the Senate turned to the consideration of the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill.  Senator Kennedy offered an amendment that would require the Secretaries of Defense and State every 3 months to decide whether there is a civil war in Iraq.  If they determine that there is a civil war, they must inform Congress about what the US troops are doing in relation to the civil war.  If they determine that a civil war does not exist, they must inform Congress what is being done to prevent a civil war.  A second amendment was offered by Senator Allen that would provide $12 million in additional funding designated for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. 4:59:48 PM

2:45 Senate Leaders Lay Out Agendas The Majority Leader said that in the few weeks before the elections the Senate will continue to focus on security for the American people - economic security, homeland security, and the security of American values.  The Minority Leader said that the Senate needs to work together in the remaining 12 days of this legislative session to finish the enormous amount of work that needs to be completed including passage of 12 of the appropriations bills and all 13 of the appropriations conference reports, middle class tax extenders, a minimum wage increase, fixing of the prescription drug benefit program, tackling the crisis of the uninsured, addressing national security, port security, and a compromise on the immigration legislation.  Senator Reid expressed his hope and desire that the Senate work together in these remaining days to address these issues. 3:41:34 PM

1:45 Senate Reconvenes After August Recess Following a month-long August recess, the Senate convened this morning at 11:00 a.m. for a busy 4 weeks of work until lawmakers are expected to head out of town once again in preparation for the elections.  This week, the Senate is expected to resume work on the FY07 Defense appropriations bill.  The majority leader indicated that work on this bill would be complete by Wednesday or Thursday of this week and the Senate will likely then turn to the consideration of Estate tax cuts legislation.   Today, the Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:30 and then will have debate on the defense spending bill at 2:30.  At 4:30, Senators will debate the nomination of Kim Beryl to be a U.S. Circuit Court Judge with a vote on the nomination expected at 5:30. In Committee work this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to mark up a bill on warrantless surveillance and NSA oversight.  The Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on federal renewable fuels programs and the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing on emergency preparedness with the Coast Guard Commandant and FEMA Director. 1:50:01 PM