On the Floor
The Senate will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. and proceed to a period of morning business. At 10 a.m. the chamber will begin executive session to consider the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the Senate will stand in recess for a special Democratic caucus. The Senate could also consider tourism promotion legislation (S 1023) or a bill (HR 3435) to infuse funding into the Cash for Clunkers Temporary Vehicle Trade-in Program. Roll call votes are possible.
The House has adjourned and will reconvene at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009.
Supreme Court – Updated
A floor vote on Sonia Sotomayor is expected the week of August 3rd. The following Republican Senators have voice their support of her: Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Lindsey Graham
The twenty-eight Republicans who have announced their opposition are Senators Robert Bennett (R-Utah), Sam Brownback (R-Kans.), Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Thad Cochran (R-pmaMiss.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), John Ensign (R-Ariz.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Mike Johanns (R-Ned.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and David Vitter (R-La.)
Republican senators who have not publicly said their position are: Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Mike Enzi (R-Wy.) and John Barrasso (R-Wy.)
Legislation
Senate Republicans have all but dropped their opposition to the “cash for clunkers” program, guaranteeing the $2 billion expansion of the questionable program will go forward.
Appropriations
By an 80-17 vote, the Senate passed the fiscal 2010 Agriculture appropriations bill (HR 2997). The measure would provide $124.5 billion for the Agriculture Department, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 29-1 to approve the fiscal 2010 Labor-HHS-Education bill (HR 3293). The legislation, like its House companion, eliminates funding for abstinence-only sex education programs in favor of a new, $104.5 million “Teen Pregnancy Prevention” program that puts more of an emphasis on condoms. Senator Sam Brownback (R-eal hero) was the sole “no” vote.
The Senate Financial Services bill, also similar to its House companion, opens the door to DC abortion funding by adding “federal” into the DC abortion ban. In addition it removes the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) abortion funding provision. In 1983, Congress halted any taxpayer money in FEHBP funds from being used to pay for insurance plans that cover abortion, except where a woman’s life is in jeopardy. This provision was removed in 1993 but reinstated in 1996. Currently, FEHBP funds cannot be used to pay for insurance coverage of abortion, except in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest. This is particularly noteworthy in light of the ongoing debate on national health care reform, because the FEHBP has been repeatedly used as an example of what the new national health care system might look like. In that context, it is alarming that the Senate is now proposing to fund abortion through the FEHBP.
Nominations
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved by voice vote the nomination of Francis S. Collins as director of the National Institutes of Health. The panel also approved by voice vote the nomination of former Rep. James A. Leach, R-Iowa, as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and Rocco Landesman as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved 22 nominations, including former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman to be Ambassador to China. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved Representative John McHugh (R-N.Y.) to be Secretary of the Army.