9:30 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
Thereafter: Resume consideration of H.R. 4567, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005.
Senate [Democrats] Defies Bush on Homeland Security Jobs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to stop the Department of Homeland Security opening up sensitive immigration jobs to private companies, ignoring a White House threat to veto the bill if it contained the measure.
The Republican-led Senate voted 49-47 to attach the plan to a $32 billion bill to fund homeland security operations in the 2005 fiscal year. In an election-year disappointment for President Bush, several Republicans joined Democrats in support of the measure.
The White House said Bush would veto the bill, introduced by Democrat Senator Patrick Leahy, if the amendment stays in the final version.
Votes:
166: Motion to Waive the Budget Act with respect to the Schumer amendment #3580:
Not Waived, 50-46
167: Thomas amendment #3582:
Agreed to, 49-47
168: Leahy amendment #3584:
Agreed to, 49-47
