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The Focus of Today's Session will be
a Period of Morning Business

4:00 P.M.

Before going out of session for the day, Senator Domenici made some final remarks about the energy bill.  He said that to help prevent another blackout, the US needs to update its transmission lines.  Senator Domenici also explained how he thinks we can reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources. 

3:40 P.M.

Senator Harkin of Iowa is speaking on the state of the economy and the recent announcement that the number of jobs increased in March.  Senator Harkin noted that despite the increase in jobs, nationwide unemployment also increased.  The majority party has routinely blocked votes on extending unemployment insurance, and Senator Harkin is noting how unemployment is affecting workers in his home state. 

3:30 P.M.

Senator Frist announced that later this week that the majority party would be introducing another version of the medical malpractice bill.  A vote is scheduled for Wednesday on a pending version of medical malpractice. 

3:15 P.M.

Reflecting the loose schedule of the Senate, the Senate floor has been vacant for the majority of the afternoon.  Senator Frist is now speaking on the floor, following up on President Bush's comments from earlier today about jobs.  He has been speaking about the Workforce Investment Act.  He has said that the federal government has an ineffective, patchwork of overlapping programs related to workforce training. 

1:10 P.M.

The Senate has convened and Senator Frist is making his opening remarks about the schedule for the week.  A cloture vote on a medical malpractice bill is scheduled for Wednesday.  While no roll call votes are scheduled for today, Senators can come to the floor to introduce legislation or to speak on other issues. 

1:00 P.M.

The Senate convenes today at 1:00 pm for a period of morning business.