Posted on 03/01/2006 6:27:28 AM PST by OXENinFLA
Since "Free Republic is an online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America.", I and others think it's a good idea to centralize what the goes on in the Senate (or House).
So if you see something happening on the Senate/House floor and you don't want to start a new thread to ask if anyone else just heard what you heard, you can leave a short note on who said what and about what and I'll try and find it the next day in THE RECORD. Or if you see a thread that pertains to the Senate, House, or pretty much any GOV'T agency please link your thread here.
If you have any suggestions for this thread please feel free to let me know.
Here's a few helpful links.
C-SPAN what a great thing. Where you can watch or listen live to most Government happenings.
C-SPAN 1 carries the HOUSE.
C-SPAN 2 carries the SENATE.
C-SPAN 3 (most places web only) carries a variety of committee meetings live or other past programming.
OR FEDNET has online feed also.
A great thing about our Government is they make it really easy for the public to research what the Politicians are doing and saying (on the floor anyway).
THOMAS where you can see a RECORD of what Congress is doing each day. You can also search/read a verbatim text of what each Congressmen/women or Senator has said on the floor or submitted 'for the record.' [This is where the real juicy stuff can be found.]
Also found at Thomas are Monthly Calendars for the Senate Majority and Senate Minority
And Monthly Calendars for the House Majority and Roll Call Votes can be found here.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT (aka The Dept. of Defense)
This Wyden amendment does seem to have quite a bit of support from both sides. I notice Kerry has changed his ways and now shows up to vote, I suppose in anticipation of his second run for the nomination.
I don't know if you missed it earlier, but Sen. Sessions, in his talk in opposition to this amendment, said senators and their staffs pretty much don't read any of these bills (which we knew, but I was surprised he said it).
Apparently Senator Sessions has reached his BS quota for the year! Was he reading or did he just launch off the top of his head?
I'm sure it played a big party in it
Thanks
McCain is objecting, taking Frist head on. OH this should be interesting.
I'm late to the party ... what's going on in the Senate
Reid is up with a lecture about lobbyist
McCain just wussed out!
Reid urges his colleagues to vote FOR cloture - McCain reserves the right to object, becuase he wants certain amendments to be brought up.
McCain will not support cloture becuase he wants to address earmarking and the accounting for Senate air fare. Frist said he wants only germane amendments, and I wonder how he reconciles HIS internet bill as being germane.
So, now on to the cloture vote for the lobbying bill.
wussed out on what?
Reid was lecturing the DEMs not to seek prefection, that the lobbying reform bill is pretty god now, and they ought to be satisfied with it. Mark down the moment, Reid and Frist agreed on getting on with this bill.
He objected to cloture, then backed off, I guess he's just grandstanding as usual, now if the bill is lame, he can say he was never for it in the first place. I'll hand him that, it was a nice piece of strategery.
Thanks!
McCain stood up reserving the right to object to retaking the cloture vote. He was pissed. He vented about the need to make cerain amendments to the lobbying reform bill. Then I think he relaized that he didn't want to be the obstructionist, so he changed tune to "I will bring these matters up in other venues until they are dealt with," and withheld his objection.
Actually it is pretty much par for the course with McCain...every spending bill he waits until the last day of debate...gets up and yells and stomps his feet about the pork...
Even points fingers at certain Senators who he feels have been especially "generous" to their states...BUT, when it comes time to vote for the bill...he always votes AYE!!!
LOL---he just likes to hear himself talk big.
Plus most people don't watch C-Span and do not know what you just pointed out. Good sound bites for the home crowd.
Then no more than 30 hours of debate (unless a UC agreement otherwise), and vote on the bill.
Couldn't tell if it was in his prepared notes or just off the top of his head. I had to run out for a bit and it looks like all the fun stuff happened then.
I love when Senator Sessions has heard enough BS, and he just goes off! He's so educated about the issues.
Sessions was on Fox a little while ago...saying he hopes the Senate Immigration Bill does NOT pass...
BTW..they also said that Frist plans on having HIS bill be the basis for the Senate to work from....hmmmm
Shaking head!
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