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Wednesday, September 13, 2006 |
After a roll call vote of 43 to 55, the Senate did not pass the Menendez amendment to the Port Security bill.
5:00:18 PM 
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The Senate passed the Coleman Amendment to the Port Security Bill by a vote of 95 to 5.
4:30:28 PM
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The Senate is currently voting on the Coleman Amendment to the Port Security Bill. This Amendment would require 100% screening of maritime cargo into the United States.
4:09:38 PM
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Senator Collins is speaking on the complex process that is port security in the United States. She is clarifying the definitions of screening, scanning, and inspection. As the cargo containers come into U.S. ports, they are scored in terms of risk levels, and dealt with appropriately depending on the score. Senator Collins also mentioned that we work with other governments as containers leave from other countries. She mentioned that the Port Security Bill, as proposed, will strengthen and improve the current scanning process. She looks forward to a time when we will have an integrated scanning system that can x-ray and scan for radiological products at the same time.
3:32:01 PM
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Senator Collins said there will be a vote at 4:00 pm on the Coleman Amendment # 4982. This will be followed by a vote on the Menendez Amendment. Until 4:00 pm, the time will be equally divided between the majority and minority. Senator Menendez from New Jersey is speaking on his amendment, which would require 100% of cargo containers to be scanned with non-intrusive technology before it enters the United States. He expressed concern over the current practice which does not scan all containers.
3:19:44 PM
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By a vote of 57 to 41, the Senate agrees to table the Biden Amendment to the Port Security Bill.
2:35:30 PM
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Senator Stevens expressed opposition to the Biden Amendment, because he does not believe that this belongs on the Port Security bill. The Biden Amendment would create a Homeland Security trust Fund. It also contains a sense of the Senate that the funds should come from raising taxes for people who earn over $1 million annually.
2:24:10 PM
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Senator Clinton introduced an amendment that would provide medical and mental health monitoring and treatment to first resopnders who were directly affected by their work in New York City after the September 11 attacks. Senator Collins expressed concern about the lack of care for first responders from places outside of New York, including those at the Pentagon. She also questioned whether this amendment falls under the jurisdiction of the Homeland Security Committee, or under the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Senator Clinton agreed that Congress has a duty to all first responders who made sacrifices on September 11, and mentioned Senator Voinovich's amendment # 4962, which will help provide care for first responders in possible future situations.
1:34:31 PM
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The motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Reid amendment failed by a vote of 41-57. Senator Collins’s point of order is sustained, and the Reid amendment may no longer be considered, meaning that the amendment has been killed.
12:57:20 PM
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Senator Collins raised a point of order against the Reid amendment because it violates the Budget Act. Senator Murray made a motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Reid amendment. If the Senate votes to waive the Budget Act, the Reid amendment may be considered further. If they vote against waiving the Budget Act, the Reid amendment may not be considered.
12:30:29 PM
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Senator Dorgan came to the floor to support the Reid amendment. He argued that this amendment will provide funding to give first responders tools that will improve communications. He also stated that it will enhance mass transit, rail and aviation security.
11:27:02 AM
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Senator Voinovich came to the floor to offer his amendment #4962, the Disaster Area Health and Environmental Monitoring Act, to the Port Security bill. This legislation would fund the monitoring of the health and safety of individuals exposed to harmful substances during disaster responses. This amendment is cosponsored by 16 other senators.
11:26:09 AM
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Senator Susan Collins from Maine came to the floor to cite her opposition to Senator Reid’s amendment #4936 to the Port Security bill. She explained that it is too long and includes provisions that have already been passed. She also argued that the amendment is partisan and should not be attached to the Port Security bill, which she states is a bipartisan bill.
10:52:15 AM
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Senator Rockefeller came to the floor to discuss the president’s warrantless wiretapping program. Senator Rockefeller stated that Congress is mostly in the dark about the National Security Agency’s wiretapping program in regards to the program’s existence, effectiveness or legal justification. He asked that the Senate be briefed on the program before they vote on its legality. Senator Jim DeMint then stated that the Administration must use available technology to track terrorists’ communications and financing. He argued that the President’s wiretapping program has diminished Al-Qaeda’s capabilities and kept America secure.
10:17:36 AM
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The Senate reconvened at 9:30 a.m. There will be a period of morning business for 30 minutes and then the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 4954, the Port Security bill. Votes are expected throughout the day on amendments to this bill. Senator Harry Reid came to the floor to discuss his amendment #4936 to the Port Security bill. Senator Reid stated that his amendment, if adopted, would equip the intelligence community to fight terrorists, change the course in Iraq and implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The Senate is scheduled to vote on this amendment at 12:15 p.m. today.
9:50:32 AM
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