Floor Schedule for Tuesday, May 21, 2013

• The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.
• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
• Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill.
• The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Gillibrand amendment is pending; Sessions amendment agreed to
Cantwell amendment #919 was agreed to 87-8. Senator Gillibrand offered amendment #931 (SNAP funding). The Sessions amendment #945 (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance), as modified, was agreed to.   Following Senator Gillibrand’s statement, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm. After the lunch we will continue to process amendments to the Farm bill.| More

Roll call vote following moment of silence at 12 noon
Following the moment of silence at noon, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote in relation to Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal participation in soil and water conservation programs).   Following the votes Senator Gillibrand will be recognized and intends to offer amendment #931 (restore SNAP cuts with offset).   The managers of the…| More

12:00 noon moment of silence-OK tornado victims
At 12:00 noon today the Senate will observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tornado in Oklahoma.| More

Agreement on S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions-5pm Wednesday roll call vote
At 4pm on Wednesday, May 22, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #43, S.Res.65, resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.   There will be 60 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled…| More

Morning business until 7pm, no more votes
The Senate is in a period of morning business until 7pm, with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes today.| More

McShane nomination confirmed by voice vote
Executive Calendar #46, the nomination of Michael J. McShane, of Oregon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon, was confirmed by voice vote.| More

McCain crop insurance amendment
Senator McCain asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up the Feinstein-McCain amendment #923 (tobacco crop insurance). Senator Stabenow objected in order to give the committee time to group additional crop insurance amendments together, but assured Senator McCain a vote on the amendment.| More

Cantwell amendment pending to Farm bill; Reminder: Up to 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm (judges)
The Senate has begun consideration of S.954, the Farm bill. Senator Stabenow called up Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal soil and water conservation programs).   At 5pm, the Senate will turn to Executive session with 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the below listed nominations.   -          Executive Calendar #45, the nomination…| More

Amendments to S.954, the Farm Bill
The following amendments are pending to S.954, the Farm bill: Cantwell amendment #919 (Indian tribes – land and soil conservation programs) The following amendments have been considered to S.954, the Farm bill:| More

Agreements on Chappell, McShane, Barnett, and Kellly nominations
On Monday, May 20, 2013, at 5:00 pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nomination:   Executive Calendar #45, Sheri Polster Chappell, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida; and Executive Calendar #46, Michael J. McShane, of Oregon, to be United States District…| More

Lee Abortion consent request and Blumenthal’s counteroffer
Senator Lee asked unanimous consent the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.Res.133, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress and the States should investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices; and the Senate adopt the resolution and preamble, with no intervening action or debate.   Senator Blumenthal…| More

Budget consents objected to
Senator Murray asked unanimous consent to proceed to H.Con.Res.25, that the amendment which is at the desk, the text of S.Con.Res. 8, the budget resolution passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; that H.Con.Res.25, as amended, be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table; that the Senate…| More

Morning Business until 5pm, No more votes this week
The Senate is in a period of morning business until 5pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes this week.| More

Moniz vote at 2:26pm, if all time is used
The Senate is debating Executive Calendar #91, the nomination of Ernest J. Moniz, of Massachusetts, to be Secretary of Energy, for up to 3 hours. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination. If all time is used, the vote would begin at approximately…| More

Agreement to proceed to S.954, the Farm bill
The Senate has reached an agreement that on Monday, May 20th, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #73, S.954, the Farm bill.| More

Reid moves to proceed to the Farm bill; no more votes today
Executive Calendar #92, the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was confirmed 91-7. Following the vote, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.954, a bill to reauthorize agricultural programs through 2018 (the Farm bill). There will be no further roll call votes today.| More

McConnell objects to going to conference on the Budget resolution
Senator Wyden asked unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution.   Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling.  …| More

2 votes at 4:30pm: confirmation of Orrick and Tavenner
The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.   At 2:00pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of…| More

Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs) agreed to by voice vote
Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs) was agreed to by voice vote| More

Amendments to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act
The following amendments have been considered to S.601,  the Water Resources Development Act: Coburn amendment #805 (Army Corps land/guns) Not Agreed to: 56-43 (60-vote threshold) Whitehouse amendment #803 (oceans) Agreed to: 68-31 (60-vote threshold) Boxer-Vitter substitute amendment #799 Agreed to by UC Brown amendment #813, as modified (Asian carp) Agreed to: 95-0 Pryor amendment #801,…| More

Up to 7 roll call votes at 10:30am; additional votes expected this afternoon re: Tavenner and Orrick nominations
As a reminder, at 10:30am there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, and on passage of the bill.   The first vote will be the usual 15 minute vote and the remaining votes will be 10 minutes in duration. Senator Reid intends to…| More

McConnell objects to going to conference on the Budget resolution
Senator Warner asked unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution.   Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling.  …| More

2 Roll Call Votes at 5pm
  At 5pm today, the Senate will vote in relation to the Barrasso amendment #868 (water rights) and Sanders #889 (restoration of certain properties impacted by natural disasters). Both amendments are subject to 60-affirmative vote threshold. Following the votes, the Senate will turn to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein…| More

S.601, WRDA Agreement
Senator Boxer asked consent to consider a finite list of amendments including Johnson (SD) #891 (flood insurance) and Landrieu #888 (flood insurance). Senator Toomey reserved his right to object and stated his opposition to Landrieu’s amendment #888 and objected to the request. After some debate between Senators Landrieu and Toomey, Senator Boxer asked the same…| More

WRDA cloture vote
It appears that we are very close reaching an agreement on a finite list of amendments to S.601, WRDA. We are currently in a quorum call to finalize the details. If we are able to reach an agreement, cloture would be vitiated and we could see some votes on amendments in the 5:30pm range tonight.…| More

2:30pm Cloture vote
In an effort to give the managers additional time to work on an agreement to limit amendments to S.601, the cloture vote has been postponed and will now occur at 2:30pm.   If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will proceed to the cloture vote at 2:30pm. If cloture is invoked, it will…| More

11:15am filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.601, WRDA
As a reminder, the filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, is 11:15am today. Please send a signed copy of any germane second degree amendments to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you. If you have already filed, there is…| More

Reid asks consent to go to conference on Budget resolution and withdraws request because of continued Republican objection
This afternoon Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to go to conference on the concurrent resolution on the Budget. Senator Cruz was unavailable to be on the floor at this time to object. Out of respect for the long tradition of comity in the Senate, Senator Reid withdrew his request.| More

4pm filing deadline reminder re: WRDA amendments
As a reminder, there is a 4pm filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act. If your senator has a germane first degree amendment and would like to protect the right to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we…| More

Agreement on Moniz nomination (Secretary of Energy)
The Senate reached the following agreement to consider the Moniz nomination. At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #91, the nomination of Ernest J. Moniz, of Massachusetts, to be Secretary of Energy. There will be up to 3 hours for…| More

Agreement on Orrick nomination (Northern District of CA district judge)
At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 60 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, the nomination of William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for…| More

Cloture filed on S.601, WRDA–4pm Monday filing deadline–12noon Tuesday cloture vote
This afternoon Senator Reid filed cloture on S.601, Water Resources Development Act of 2013.   The filing deadline for first degree amendments is 4:00pm on Monday, May 13. If your senator have a germane first degree amendment and would like to preserve the right to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to…| More

Agreement on Tavenner nomination (Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
The Senate has reached the following agreement to consider the Tavenner nomination.   At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #92 the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers…| More

No more votes this week, agreement on amendments
The following amendment is the next amendment in order to S.601, WRDA:   -          Inhofe #797 (land exchange). No second degree amendments are in order to the amendment prior to a vote in relation to the amendment.   The following amendments were agreed to by consent: -          Blunt #800 (resilient construction techniques for extreme weather)…| More

Roman confirmed, Senator resumed consideration of WRDA
The Nelson Stephen Roman nomination was confirmed 97-0.   The Senate has resumed consideration of S.601, Water Resources Development Act. A few senators are now speaking as if in morning business while the managers of the bill work on an agreement to consider additional amendments. The Majority Leader has not announced there would be no…| More

Up to 2 roll call votes at 2pm (district judges)
At 1:30pm today, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the nominations of Shelly Decker Dick and Nelson Stephen Roman. Under the previous order, there will be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations. We expect to consider one by voice vote…| More

McConnell objects to going to conference on Budget resolution
Senator Reid Murray unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution. Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling. Senator Murray…| More

Agreement on Dick and Roman nominations (LA and NY district judges)
The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the nominations of Shelly Dick (District Judge LA) and Nelson Roman (Southern District NY).   At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:   -          Executive Calendar…| More

Amendments agreed to WRDA
The following amendments to S.601, WRDA, were agreed to by unanimous consent:   -          Pryor #801, as modified with the changes that are at the desk (farms); -          Pryor #806 (work-in-kind); -          Inhofe #835, with a modification to the instruction lines (rural water infrastructure projects); McCain #833 (levee safety programs);| More

No more votes today
There will be no further roll call votes tonight.| More

5:45pm vote in relation to Brown amendment #813, as modified (Asian Carp)
At 5:45pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote in relation to the Brown amendment #813, as modified (Asian Carp). No amendments are in order to the amendment prior to the vote.| More

Objections to sense of the Senate resolutions
This afternoon, Senator Lee asked consent to adopt a Senate Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress and the States should investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices.   Senator Blumenthal then asked consent to adopt an alternative resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that all incidents of abusive, unsanitary,…| More

McConnell objects to going to conference on the Budget resolution, again
Senator Warner asked consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution. Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling. Senator Murray objected…| More

Agreement on next amendments in order to WRDA
The next amendments in order to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, are the following:   Blunt #800 (resilient construction techniques for extreme weather) Pryor #806 (provide work-in-kind credit) Inhofe #835 (rural water infrastructure projects)   No second degree amendments are in order prior to votes in relation to the amendments. We will work on time…| More

2 votes at 2pm
Senator Coburn has indicated he will not offer amendment #804. As a result, there will only be 2 roll call votes at 2pm.   -          Coburn amendment #805 (Army Corps lands/guns); and -          Whitehouse amendment #803 (oceans).| More

Agreement to consider first 3 amendments to WRDA/agree to substitute amendment/3 votes at 2pm Wednesday
The Senate has reached an agreement that provides for the consideration of the first 3 amendments to the WRDA legislation. At 11:30am tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8th, the Senate will resume consideration of S.601 and the following amendments will be the first amendments in order to the pending Boxer-Vitter substitute amendment #799:   -          Coburn #804…| More

Debate only until 6:30pm
The Senate is in a period for debate only until 6:30pm on S.601, WRDA, while we figure out the first amendments to be considered to the bill.| More

Boxer-Vitter substitute amendment is pending
The Senate has begun consideration of S.601, Water Resources Development Act. Senator Boxer withdrew the committee reported substitute amendment and called up Boxer-Vitter substitute #799. The managers are now giving their opening statements. We are working on lining up the first amendments in order to the bill.| More

McConnell objects to going to conference on Budget resolution
Senator Murray asked consent to go to conference on the Budget resolution. Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling. Senator Murray declined to modify…| More

Republicans object to going to conference on Budget resolution
Prior to the vote on passage of Marketplace Fairness Act, Senator Reid asked consent to go to conference on the Budget resolution. Senator Cruz objected. Request to go to conference on H.Con.Res.25 – Budget Resolution – FY2014   Leader:            I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #33, H.Con.Res.25; that all…| More

Cloture withdrawn on motion to proceed to S.601, WRDA; Up to 2 votes at 5:30pm
The cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, was withdrawn. At 2:15pm tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7, the motion to proceed to S.601 will be agreed to, and the Senate will begin consideration of the bill.   We may be able to consider the Enzi-Durbin amendment #741 (perfecting substitute) to…| More

Agreement to consider Medine nomination
The Senate has reached an agreement to vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #42 David Medine- to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2018 at a time to be determined. The details of the agreement are below.   At a time to be…| More

Cloture filed on MTP to S.601, WRDA
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to Calendar #44, S.601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013.  The cloture vote will be on Monday, May 6th following disposition of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act (the 3rd roll call vote in a series beginning at 5:30pm).| More

Durbin asks consent to consider 3 amendments to Marketplace Fairness Act
Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent the pending Enzi amendment be set aside and it be in order for the following amendments to be called up:   -       Collins-King #771 (provides a limitation on when States may first exercise the authority under this Act) -       Pryor-Blunt #740 (extends for 10 years the moratorium on taxes on…| More

Hatch’s unanimous consent request to consider amendments
Hatch asked unanimous consent that the following amendments be in order to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act:   Collins 744 or Collins 771 Ayotte 759, as amended Coats 765 Thune 764 with GAO study/Thune 778 without GAO study Coburn 753 Coburn 767 Thune 743 Lee 768 Ayotte 763 Hatch 754 Portman 772 Cruz 794 Coats 797…| More

Coburn amendments objected to
Senator Coburn asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendments in order to call up the following amendments:   -       Coburn #753 (delinquent tax debts and Federal employment) -       Coburn #751 (charitable organizations) -       Coburn #767 (duplicative and overlapping programs) -       Coburn #766 (prohibit presidential election campaign funds for part conventions)   Senator Durbin…| More

Baucus objects to setting aside pending amendment to consider Collins amendment
The Senate has resumed consideration of S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act.   Senator Collins asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Collins amendment #744, to provide a limitation on when States may first exercise the authority under this Act.   Senator Wyden reserved his right to object and then…| More

1pm Thursday, April 25 filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act
As a result of cloture being filed, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act, is 1pm tomorrow, Thursday, April 25. If cloture is invoked, amendments must be germane and timely filed to be considered in order post-cloture.| More