Monday, September 18, 2006

4:30 Senator Conrad Speaks in Opposition to the Oman Free Trade Agreement The Senate has been in morning business for much of the afternoon.  Senator Conrad came to the floor to speak on his opposition to the Oman Free Trade Agreement.  He will vote against the bill for two reasons.  First, he believes the Oman agreement is a continuation of an utterly failed trade policy and that we must change direction before our record trade and budget deficits cripple our economy.  Senator Conrad also believes that this bill has been brought to the floor in a way that makes a complete mockery of the fast-track process.  He explained that the Constitution gives the Congress the power to regulate foreign trade and by the Senate agreeing to fast track this bill, each Senator is giving up the right to amend and the right to extend debate on the bill.  Senator Conrad was disapointed that this bill does not include an amendment that he had offered to the bill while it was under consideration of the Finance Committee during the traditional mock markup process.  The amendment, which would have prevented products made with slave labor or under sweatshop conditions to benefit from the agreement, passed in Committee unanimously, but was opposed by the Administration.  He is angry that an amendment can be passed by unanimous vote and then mean nothing and told Senators that this process has lost its credibility. 4:30:14 PM

2:15 Senate Celebrates Constitution Day Today, September 18, the Senate is observing Constitution Day marking the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.  The holiday was created in 2004 wtih the passage of an amendment, offered by Senator Byrd, to the FY04 Omnibus spending bill.  The law mandates that all public schools and institutions provide educational programs on the history of the Constitution. 2:13:36 PM

2:00 Senate Convenes to Consider Oman Free Trade Act The Senate convened at 2:00 this afternoon and began debate on the Oman Free Trade Act.  A vote is scheduled to occur on Tuesday prior to the caucus lunches.  The Senate passed a very similar Oman trade agreement bill in June, but because trade agreements must originate in the House and then be passed in the Senate, the Senate must vote on the bill again now that it has been passed in the House.  On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Alice Fischer with a vote expected on Tuesday evening.  The Majority Leader has not yet indicated what bill the Senate will move to next. In Committee work, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will hold the nomination hearing of Andrew von Eschenbach to be FDA commissioner.  Von Eschenbach is currently the acting commissioner.  Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will testify before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on Tuesday regarding the elimination of child pornographers’ access to financial payment systems. 2:06:35 PM