The Focus of Today's Session will be the Commerce, State, and Justice Appropriations bill

            7:30 P.M.         

Senator Reid has just informed the Senate that he has another 25 chapters to go before he reaches the end of Searchlight: The Camp That Didn't Fail. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois briefly interrupted Senator Reid to inquire about how the town of Searchlight got its name. Senator Reid has said that the Senator from Illinois will not have to wait that much longer to hear the answer to that question. According to Senator Reid, Searchlight is a small town that's "coming along." It has one motel and a McDonalds with a very tall flag poll.

            7:00 P.M.         

Senator Reid is now reading from his book, Searchlight: The Camp That Didn't Fail.  His book is a detailed history of the town of Searchlight, Nevada which  was founded in 1898.  Searchlight also happens to be Senator Reid's hometown.  To this point Senator Reid has read aloud three chapters of his 233 page book.

            6:15 P.M.         

Although other Senators have made brief appearances on the floor to ask questions of Senator Reid, he has continued to control the floor almost without interruption.  He has  covered numerous subjects such as Veterans issues, the Clean Air Act, the Dream Act and nominations.

            3:30 P.M.         

Senator Reid has continued his discussion about the Senate's schedule for this week.  He has spoken about judicial nominations, unemployment, appropriations and is now speaking about education. 

            2:30 P.M.         

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada is speaking on the floor about unemployment and economic statistics.  Senator Reid has announced that he intends to speak for the next three hours.

            1:00 P.M.         

The Senate will begin this afternoon with consideration of the Commerce, State and Justice Appropriations bill, H.R.2799.

Appropriations vs. Authorization: While the power over appropriations is granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution, the authorization-appropriation process is derived from House and Senate rules. The process consists of two sequential steps: (1) enactment of an authorization measure that may create or continue an agency or program as well as authorize the subsequent enactment of appropriations; and (2) enactment of appropriations to provide funds for the authorized agency or program.