The Focus of Today's Session will be the VA-HUD Appropriations Bill and
Judicial Nominations

            11:45 P.M.         

While the Senate will continue to move through the 30 hours of debate on these four judicial nominations, this legislative staff believes that the next six hours will be quite similar to the previous six.  More on the Floor will resume coverage early tomorrow morning. Good night. 

            11:30 P.M.         

Following Senator Larry Craig who spoke about the true definitions of filibuster and of cloture, Senator George Allen is now speaking about why it is important to have judicial nominees confirmed. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona is now on the floor talking about the qualifications of Carolyn Kuhl.

            10:45 P.M.         

Senator Harry Reid brought attention once again to the fact that while the numbers for unemployment, the impoverished, the uninsured, the national debt, and the budget deficit continue to rise, the number of judicial vacancies goes down. Senator Chuck Schumer is talking about how the Republicans are only focusing on the 4 nominees who have not been confirmed, while ignoring that the Senate has confirmed 168 judicial nominees.

            9:45 P.M.         

Like a number of his colleagues, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan is speaking this evening about the role of the Senate to advise and consent as established by the United States Constitution. Following Senator Levin, Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut spoke passionately about the extreme importance of having three equal branches of government.

            9:15 P.M.         

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah each spoke briefly about Justice Priscilla Owen. Senator Hatch also discussed that he felt many decisions made about confirming nominees have to do with abortion. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky interrupted Senator Hatch to ask him a question because he noticed that Senator Hatch's voice was cracking and felt the Senator from Utah might need a minor break from speaking. Senators Hatch and McConnell proceeded to have a discussion about Miguel Estrada. To read Senator Leahy's statement about the President's withdrawal of the nomination of Miguel Estrada, click here.

            8:45 P.M.         

Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana came to the floor to ask that the Senate move to legislative business and take up consideration of S.1853 regarding unemployment insurance. His request was denied. In addition, Senator Bayh spoke about how pleased he was that there was an increase in voter turnout in his home state during this year's elections. Following Senator Bayh, Senator Durbin talked about how nice it would be if the Senate would spend 30 hours debating health care and jobs and unemployment insurance. He went on to say that the Constitution of the U.S. gives the President the power to propose nominees, not to appoint them.

            8:00 P.M.         

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois repeated Senator Byrd's earlier comments about how the Senate could be spending its time more effectively by working on passing appropriations bills. Senator Durbin also repeated that the Senate has approved 168 out of 172 of President Bush's judicial nominees. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama came to the floor to speak about the Federalist Society. The Senate will now begin splitting the time between the Republicans and Democrats in half an hour segments, beginning with the Republicans.

            7:30 P.M.         

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California is talking about how Republicans used to hold up a nominee by not returning the nominee's blue slip. Senator Feinstein contrasted how 55 of President Clinton's nominees did not receive hearings while the four nominees being discussed this evening have all received hearings.

            6:45 P.M.         

The 30 hour debate on judicial nominations has now begun.  So far, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah and Senator Charles Schumer have come to the floor to speak. Senator Dianne Feinstein is now speaking about the rules regarding confirmations of nominees. Senators Hatch, Schumer and Feinstein are all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

            6:30 P.M.         

Senator Byrd came to the floor to ask Majority Leader Frist if the Senate could continue with consideration of the VA-HUD appropriations bill and have a vote on final passage of this bill.  Senator Frist said that he would not permit Senator Byrd's request and moved to ask for a two hour time limit on debate on the nomination of Priscilla Owen.

            6:00 P.M.         

The Senate will now begin a 30 hour debate over judicial nominations that will continue through the evening and tomorrow without interruption.  Senators from both side of the aisle will be here throughout the night as will members of Senator Leahy's staff.  Click here to read Senator Leahy's most recent statement about judicial nominations.  For more information on Senator Leahy's work on President Bush's nominations, click here.

            5:45 P.M.         

The Senate voted not to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Mikulski amendment with a vote of 44-49.  Senator Byrd is speaking on the floor about continuing on with debate over the Military Construction Appropriations bill so that it can be finished this evening.  Senator Bond has stated that he does not believe that the Senate will be able to complete this bill tonight. 

            5:00 P.M.         

The Senate has just begun a vote on Senator Mikulski's amendment, S.Amdt.2178.  Click here for text of the amendment. 

            4:45 P.M.         

Senator Mikulski has just finished speaking about her amendment to the VA-HUD bill, S.Amdt.2178.  Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is now speaking about the Defense Authorization bill and the VA-HUD bill.  At 6:00 P.M. this evening, the Senate will begin a 30 hour discussion over judicial nominations.  Senators from both side of the aisle will be here throughout the night as will members of Senator Leahy's staff.  Click here to read Senator Leahy's most recent statement about judicial nominations.  For more information on Senator Leahy's work on President Bush's nominations, click here.

            4:15 P.M.         

The Senate is currently debating amendments to the VA-HUD Appropriations bill one by Senator Clinton of New York, S.Amdt.2152 and a second by Senator Lautenberg S.Amdt.2171.

            3:45 P.M.         

By a vote of 98-0 the Senate passed the Military Construction Appropriations bill.  The Senate is now considering H.R. 286, the VA-HUD Appropriations bill.

            3:15 P.M.         

The Senate has completed the vote on the Conference Report for the Defense Authorization Act for FY04, approving the legislation with a vote of 95-3.  The Senate will now vote on the Conference Report for the Military Construction Appropriations bill. 

            2:30 P.M.             

Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma is currently speaking on the floor about environmental issues and H.R. 1588, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY04.  The Senate is expected to hold two votes, beginning at 2:45 on the adoption of the Conference Report for H.R. 1588 and H.R. 2559, the Military Construction Appropriations bill. 

            12:00 P.M.         

Senator Robert C. Byrd is speaking on the floor about Iraq and military funding. At 2:35, the Senate is expected to vote on adoption of the Department of Defense conference report, followed by a vote on adoption of the Military Construction conference report.
 

            10:30 A.M.         

Senator Kit Bond of Missouri is on the floor talking about the V.A. medical care system. Senator Bond is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, VA-HUD Subcommittee.

            9:30 A.M.         

The Senate begins today with consideration of the Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill, H.R.2861.

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.