The Focus of Today's Session will be a Variety of Issues:
 the Nomination of Charles Pickering, the Climate Stewardship bill, and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003

                   6:30 P.M.         

Senator Boxer's amendment was tabled with a vote of 61-34.  Senator Patty Murray of Washington is now speaking on the floor about her amendment, S.Amdt.2030. 

                   5:15 P.M.         

Speaking on the wildfires that are ravaging the southern areas in California, Senator Barbara Boxer is paying tribute to firefighter Steve Rucker, whose life was claimed by the fires.  She has proposed an amendment, S.Amdt.2043, that would direct 70% of wildfire funds to wildland urban interface.

                   5:00 P.M.         

Senator Leahy's amendment was tabled by a vote of 62-33.  At this time Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi have been speaking on the floor about the FAA Reauthorization.  The Senate will shortly begin debate an amendment from Senator Bingaman.

                   4:00 P.M.         

Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, moved to table the Leahy Amendment, S.Amdt.2039, that would strike two sections of the bill that pertain to litigation and appeal's reforms.  The Senate is now voting on the motion the table the amendment. 

                   3:45 P.M.         

Another roll call vote was being held on a second amendment proposed by Senator Bingaman, S.Amdt.2035.  It was tabled by a vote of 58-36.  Senator Leahy is now on the floor speaking about his amendment to the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. 

                   2:45 P.M.         

The Senate voted not to waive the budget act with respect to Senator Bingaman's amendment that would have given authority to the Secretary of Agriculture authority to borrow funds from the Treasury to pay for firefighting costs that exceed funds available by a vote of 36-60. 

                   2:00 P.M.         

Earlier this afternoon the Senate voted on an amendment proposed by Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Senator John McCain of Arizona to S.139, the Climate Stewardship Act of 2003.  The amendment was defeated by a vote of 43-55.  The Senate is now again considering the Healthy Forests Bill and is voting on an amendment by Senator Jeff Bingaman, S.amdt.2031.

                   12:00 P.M.         

Senator Bill Nelson of Florida continued the debate on the Climate Stewardship bill, sharing his memories of what it was like to see Earth from outer space. In 1986, Senator Nelson flew as a crew member on the 24th flight of the space shuttle, orbiting Earth for six days. 

                   11:30 A.M.         

The Senate voted 54-43 not to invoke cloture on the nomination of Charles Pickering. Three-fifths of the Senate, 60 Members, must vote in favor of cloture in order for it be invoked.  The Senate now begins debate on S.139, the Climate Stewardship Act, a bill offered by Senators Joseph Lieberman and John McCain to address global warming.  Senator Patty Murray of Washington began the debate on this bill talking about acid rain and greenhouse gases.

                   10:30 A.M.         

The time for debate on the nomination of Charles Pickering has been extended, moving the expected time of the vote to 10:45. So far this morning, a number of senators have spoken with regards to this nomination, including Senators Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Chuck Schumer of New York, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Trent Lott of Mississippi, Orrin Hatch of Utah, and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. Charles Pickering was originally nominated by President Bush on May 25, 2001, and has had two hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee: one in October, 2001 and another in February, 2002. President Bush re-nominated Charles Pickering on January 7, 2003, and the Senate Judiciary Committee reported his nomination out of committee on October 2, 2003.

                   9:00 A.M.         

The Senate begins this morning with one hour of debate on the nomination of Charles Pickering to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.  At 10:00, there will be a cloture vote on this nomination.  Following the vote, the Senate will move to consideration of the Climate Stewardship bill for two hours, before returning to debate on the Healthy Forest Restoration Act.  The Senate Majority Leader has announced that he would like to complete debate on this bill today and that Senate will resume consideration of the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill after that.