Thursday, May 24, 2007

5:50 Sanders Amendment Passes The Sanders amendment to the Immigration Bill passed by a vote of 59-35. 5:52:46 PM

5:30 Roll Call Vote on Sanders Amendment The Senate is now in a roll call vote on the Sanders amendment #1223 to the Immigration Bill.  5:37:55 PM

4:00 Senator Sanders Introduces Amendment Senator Sanders came to the floor to introduce amendment #1223 to the Immigration Bill.  This amendment would provide scholarships in math, science, engineering and nursing for the domestic workforce by increasing fees for H1-B employers.  He stated that it is irresponsible to increase the number of H-1B visas available to high skilled foreign workers without first addressing educational opportunities for domestic workers.  He added that the AFL-CIO and Teamsters support this amendment. 4:18:03 PM

2:40 Dorgan Amendment Not Agreed To The Dorgan amendment failed by a vote of 48-49. 2:40:28 PM

2:20 Roll Call Vote on Dorgan Amendment The Senate is now in a roll call vote on the Dorgan amendment #1181 to the Immigration Bill.  This amendment would provide a five year sunset for the non-immigrant visa program. 2:25:33 PM

1:08 Coleman Amendment Not Agreed To By a vote of 48 to 49, the Senate did not pass Senator Coleman's amendment to the Immigration Bill. 1:12:38 PM

12:42 Roll Call Vote on Coleman Amendment By a vote of 86 to 10, the Senate agreed to the Akaka Amendment to the Immigration Reform Bill.  The Senate is now in a roll call vote on the Coleman Amendment #1158.  This Amendment would remove the gag order for health and public safety officials to inquire about a person’s immigration status prior to providing services. 12:51:01 PM

12:20 Roll Call Vote on Akaka Amendment The Senate is currently in a roll call vote on the Akaka Amendment #1186 to the Immigration Reform Bill.  This amendment relates to children of Filipino WWII Veterans. 12:23:17 PM

11:30 Senators Continue to Speak on Immigration Senators Specter and Kyl spoke on the Dorgan Amendment which would give a sunset to the guestworker provision of the Immigration Bill.  Senator Kyl said the temporary worker program is to ensure that we can meet our labor needs in the future and if the Senate passes this amendment by Senator Dorgan, then businesses and companies will not know if there will be adequate workers available in 5 years, when the sunset would be set.  Senator Kyl and Specter will oppose this amendment.  There will be several roll call votes on amendments to the Immigration Reform Bill this afternoon starting around 12:15. 12:08:31 PM

10:33 Senators on Coleman Amendment Senator Menendez of New Jersey and Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts spoke about the Coleman Amendment to the Immigration Bill.  This Amendment would require local law enforcement, health and safety officials to check the legal status of people before providing services.  Senators Menendez and Kennedy said this amendment would create a sense of false security, while at the same time, creating fear in illegal and legal immigrants who seek these public services.  Senator Specter agreed and said this amendment would prohibit many undocumented immigrants from coming to the police or seeking health services, which are services that should be available to people without fear. 11:10:43 AM

10:00 Senators Speak on Iraq Six senators spoke about legislation that Senators Salazar and Alexander will introduce in June to implement recommendations from the Iraq Study Group.  The senators said this bipartisan proposal will provide new solutions and will offer a new way forward in Iraq.  Senator Alexander said that there are currently only six senators on board, but he is hopeful more will join this effort in the coming weeks.  The senators who are joining Senators Salazar and Alexander are Senator Pryor, Senator Bennett, Senator Casey, and Senator Gregg.  10:07:05 AM

9:30 Senate Convenes The Senate convened at 9:30 this morning and will be in a period of morning business for up to an hour with the time equally divided between the Majority and the Minority.  After morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1348, the Immigration Reform Bill.  Additionally, the Senate will wrap up discussion on the Emergency Supplemental Bill as soon as the House of Representatives completes their vote on the legislation. 9:42:17 AM