5:21:16 PM 5:00 P.M. Senator Hatch Speaks On Energy Issues And The Iraq War

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 6:21 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)

Senator Hatch spoke about the need to explore and implement alternative energy practices in this country to ease our reliance on foreign oil. He also stated, however, that spending on foreign oil will be necessary in order to keep our industry moving. Senator Hatch feels we should also explore oil drilling options in Alaska as well as nuclear power. Senator Hatch also spoke on the Iraq war citing a number of reported improvements in what are considered to be insurgent stronghold-cities.

4:05:31 PM 3:50 P.M. Senators Stevens And Inhofe Speak On Oil Drilling In Alaska

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 5:05 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)
The senior senator from Alaska, Senator Ted Stevens spoke about drilling for oil in Alaska. Senator Inhofe also spoke on this issue. Senator Stevens disputed Senator Schumer’s recent statements that demanding Saudi Arabia produce and export more oil to the U.S. will reduce the cost of gasoline at the pump by up to 65 cents whereas drilling in Alaska would only save Americans 1 cent at the pump. Senator Stevens feels this estimate is off base and incorrect and feels that Alaska is being underutilized as an oil source and he feels we should be providing energy options for our own nation rather than spending so much on foreign oil. Senator Inhofe echoed Senator Stevens’ comments and noted that since he joined the Senate in 1995, the current Majority has consistently voted against drilling in Alaska.

3:06:30 PM 2:50 P.M. Conference Report To The Farm Bill Passes, The President's Objections Notwithstanding

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 4:06 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)
The Conference Report to the H.R. 2419, the Farm Bill, passed by a vote of 82-13.  Because the final Farm Bill that was vetoed by the President was incorrect, it is likely that the House of Representatives will take up and vote on the full Farm Bill again which will require the Senate's vote as well before heading to the President for his signature again.

2:13:07 PM 1:55 P.M. Vote On Conference Report To Farm Bill Begins

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 3:13 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)
At 1:55 P.M. a 15-minute role call vote began on the Conference Report to the H.R. 2419, the Farm Bill, the President’s veto notwithstanding.

1:26:48 PM 1:10 Senator Harkin Discusses Title Three of Farm Bill

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 2:26 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)
When the House sent the Farm Bill to the President, they inadvertently deleted Title Three which deals with Trade. As a result, the President vetoed a bill different from what was passed by each house of Congress. Senator Harkin stated that discussions are ongoing with parliamentarians to determine the legality of the veto and expected override.

1:03:47 PM 12:45 Iraq Funding Amendment Passes

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 2:03 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)

The Iraq Funding Amendment passed by a vote of 70 to 26. Senator Reid announced that the Senate would move to consider the Farm Bill which the President vetoed yesterday. A vote on the Farm Bill override should occur at 2pm.

12:46:19 PM 12:30 Amendment Fails; Roll Call Vote on New Iraq Amendment

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 1:46 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)
The previous amendment failed to reach the 60 vote threshold. The Senate is now voting on an amendment to provided funding for the Iraq war without the language on Iraq policy or the increase in H2-B Visas.

12:23:29 PM 12:00 Domestic Funding Amendment Passes; Roll Call Vote on Iraq Amendment

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 1:23 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)

The amendment to add domestic spending passed by a vote of 75 to 22. The Senate is now voting on an amendment to alter Iraq war policy and increase the number of H2-B visas provided to seasonal workers. This vote is subject to a 60 vote threshold.

11:58:37 AM 11:40 Roll Call Vote on Supplemental Appropriations Amendment

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 12:58 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)

The Senate is currently voting on the Reid Amendment to provide some addition domestic spending to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill. The vote is subject ot a 60 vote threshold for passage.

11:50:03 AM 11:30 Senator Leahy Speaks on Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Patrick Leahy's Senate Member Office (D-VT) posted a Floor Update on May 22, 2008 | 12:50 pm - Permalink - Comments (View)
Senator Leahy, in his capacity as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Foreign Operations, praised the international funding in the Supplemental Appropriations bill. The bill contains funding for Mexico to fight drug cartels, funding for Iraqi refugees and funding for the dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear facilities. He also praised domestic investments including disaster relief.