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The Focus of Today's Session will be
S.1637, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength Act

5:30 P.M.

After a lengthy quorum call, Senator Kyl is now speaking about the overtime amendment proposed by Senator Harkin.  He has said that many of the statements made by other Senators are inflammatory, and that under these new overtime regulations, more workers will be guaranteed overtime, not fewer. 

3:45 P.M.

Senator Harkin has continued to speak on his amendment regarding overtime pay.  He and other Senators have engaged in a back and forth discussion of how these regulations will prevent more than 8 million workers from receiving overtime.  Senator Boxer is relating the concerns that she conveyed to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao about how these regulations will affect fire fighters and police officers in California. 

3:20 P.M.

Democratic Senators have continued to speak on the Senate floor about the Majority party leader's unwillingness to schedule a vote on Senator Harkin's overtime amendment.  Senator Dorgan is now speaking about Huffy bicycles and how they are no longer manufactured in America. 

2:30 P.M.

Senator Kennedy and Senator Dodd are speaking on the Senate floor about the overtime regulations and Senator Harkin's amendment.  Senator Kennedy has specifically focused on how members of the military that receive special training during the time of their service would not receive overtime pay if they work extra hours upon returning to work. 

12:20 P.M.

Senator Tom Harkin is talking about the Republican's use of parliamentary procedure to make it so that there would not be a vote on his amendment on overtime. This amendment would entitle those who work overtime to time-and-a-half pay.

11:40 A.M.

Senator Chuck Grassley is asking that his colleagues use the same bipartisan manner that they used in crafting the JOBS bill now to pass the bill. He is discussing how the sanctions imposed by the European Union are hurting Americans.

11:30 A.M.

Senator Tom Harkin is questioning the parliamentary tactics taken by the Republicans.  He is asking for verification that if cloture is invoked tomorrow on the JOBS bill will his amendment concerning overtime be deemed non-germane and therefore will not be allowed to be voted on.

11:10 A.M.

After thanking Senator Dorgan for his leadership on the issue of energy, Senator Tom Carper of Delaware is speaking about the rising cost of gasoline.

11:05 A.M.

Joining his colleagues Senators Wyden and Schumer, Senator Byron Dorgan is talking about the importance of the 9/11 Commission and the investigation that the Commission is conducting. Senator Dorgan is claiming that it is time for the "shroud of secrecy" from the Administration to be over, not only in terms of Iraq and pre-war intelligence but also in terms of facts surrounding the Medicare bill. 

10:55 A.M.

While the Senate is still in a period of morning business, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon is saying that the recent statements made by Richard Clarke, a former anti-terrorism advisor in both the Clinton and Bush Administrations, about the Bush Administration's focus on Iraq and Saddam Hussein supports earlier allegations made by former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill. Senator Wyden is stressing the importance of finding out the truth surrounding 9/11 and is urging that the Administration be straightforward regarding this matter.

10:50 A.M.

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York is talking about the interviews that the 9/11 Commission is conducting and is asking that rather than stonewalling and name-calling that the Administration be truthful and forthcoming.

10:40 A.M.

Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming is talking about the ongoing war in Iraq.  He is acknowledging that while some of the pre-war intelligence that the Bush Administration used may have been flawed or incomplete, he feels that regime change for Iraq has always been a goal for the U.S. and that the world is better off with Saddam Hussein out of power.

10:20 A.M.

Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska is speaking about the need for the Senate to pass an energy bill, because the costs of energy are increasing drastically. With the use of a chart, he is showing that 2.9 million jobs have been lost because of the change in energy prices. 

10:00 A.M.

Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota is talking about the importance of passing the JOBS bill so that it may go to the House and then additional resolution may occur during conference meetings. 

9:45 A.M.

The Senate convenes today at 9:45 for a period of morning business until 11:00, at which time consideration of the the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act, S.1637, will resume.  Introduced by Senator Grassley of Iowa, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength Act (also referred to as the Foreign Sales Corporation/Extraterritorial Income or FSC/ETI bill) would repeal an export tax subsidy ruled to be illegal by the World Trade Organization while offering new corporate tax relief over a period of ten years. Last fall the European Union threatened to impose sanctions on the U.S. if the tax code was not altered to be in compliance with the WTO’s ruling.