The Focus of Today's Session will be   H.R. 3108, the Pension Reform Bill

6:45 p.m.

Senator Frist asked unanimous consent that the Senate approve the following nominations on the Executive Calendar, numbers 536-543.  These are military promotions passed by the armed services committee today.  No one objected and the nominations were approved.  Senator Frist went on to say that he had hoped that next week the Senate would begin consideration of the highway bill and that Monday would be limited to debate to allow the Finance Committee to finish their work on the bill.  After Senator Reid objected to the bill being considered on Monday afternoon, Senator Frist will filed cloture on  S.1072, and a vote to end debate is expected on Monday at 5:45 p.m.
 

3:42 P.M.

Senator Cornyn of Texas, is speaking about an immigration plan that he is proposing.  He recently traveled to Mexico and met with government leaders and has been speaking about what he learned from those meetings.

3:06 P.M.

 Senator Nelson of Florida is speaking on intelligence issues and the information he was given before the Senate voted on a resolution to authorize the U.S. to use force in Iraq.  He has spoken specifically about unmanned aerial vehicles and testimony by weapons inspector Dr. Kay before the Senate Armed Services Committee. 

2:05 P.M.

Earlier today the Senate voted 86-9 to pass the Pension Reform Bill.  The Senate also voted 95-0 to confirm Gary Sharpe of New York to be a District Court Judge for the Northern District of New York.  There will be no further roll call votes this week.  The Senate will be in a pro forma session on Thursday and will not be in session on Friday.  

11:18 A.M.

Senator Coleman is speaking on the Pension Reform Bill and its importance to his state of Minnesota.  He has asked other Senators to support this bill to protect retirees pensions. 

11:15 A.M.

Senator Daschle is spoke briefly about the war in Iraq and the need to support our troops.  Senator Reid has just pointed out that the Senate has approved 170 of President Bush's judicial nominations. 

11:00 A.M.

The Senate will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. to resume consideration of H.R.3108, the Pension Reform Bill.  There will be thirty minutes of debate evenly divided between the two parties and then Senator Kyl will be recognized for 10 minutes.  A vote is expected on Senator Kyl's 2nd degree amendment, S.Amdt.2236 around 11:40 a.m.  Immediately following the vote on Senator Kyl's amendment, there is also expected to be a vote on final passage.