The Floor Log is for reference only. All information should be verified through official sources.

Today's Senate Floor Log

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009

The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM and will be in a period of morning business. There will be no Roll Call Votes during today's session of the Senate. The next Roll Call Vote will occur on Tuesday, September 8 at 5:30 PM.

The Senate convened and proceeded with Morning Business.

S. Res. 241 (Polycystic Awareness Month). Agreed to by voice vote.

S. Res. 251 (Sense of the Senate that the Government of Afghanistan should support women candidates and voters in their elections). Agreed to by voice vote.

S. Res. 252 (Authorizing a photograph to be taken in the Senate Chamber). Agreed to by voice vote.

The Senate proceeded to an Executive Session.

The Senate considered the following nominations en bloc:
Cal. #161, Jeffrey Feltman to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #266, Philip Verveer for the rank of Ambassador as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #268, Maria Otero to be an Under Secretary of State.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #209, Jo Ellen Darcy to be Assistant Secretary of the Army.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #263, Colin Fulton to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #281, Craig Hooks to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #283, Carlos Pascual to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to Mexico. 
Cal. #368, Wilma Lewis to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #370, Robert Abbey to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management. Confirmed by voice vote. 
Cal. #375, Francis Collins to be Director of the National Institutes of Health.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #376, James Leach to be the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #377, Rocco Landesman to be the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #378, Raymond Jefferson to be Assistant Secretary of the Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #379, Ertharin Cousin for the rank of Ambassador as U. S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #380, Kerri-Ann Jones to be Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #381,  David Killion tor the rank of Ambassador as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #382, Glyn T. Davies to be Representative of the US to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #383, Glyn T. Davies to be Representative of the U.S. to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the rank of Ambassador.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #384, Aaron Williams to be Director of the Peace Corps.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #385, Michael Battle to be Representative of the U.S. to the African Union.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #386, Martha Larzelere to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to be Republic of the Marshall Islands.  Confirmed by voice vote/ 
Cal. #387, John Bass to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to Georgia.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #388, James Foley to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to the Republic of Croatia.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #389, Kenneth Gross to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to the Republic of Tajikistan.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #390, Teddy Taylr ot be the Ambassador to Vanuatu.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #391, John Roos to be Ambassador to Japan.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #392, Judith Garber to be Ambassador to Latvia.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #393, James Knight to be Ambassador to Benin.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #394, Karen Kornbluh to be Representative of the U.S. to beh Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #395, Bruce Oreck to be Ambassador to Finland.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #396, Jon Huntsman to be Ambassador to China.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #397, Douglas Kmiec to be Ambassador to Malta.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #398, Jonathan Addleton to be Ambassador to Mongolia.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #399, Matthew Barzun to be Ambassador to Sweden.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #400, William Eacho to be Ambassador to Austria.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #401, Philip Murphy to be Ambassador to Germany.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #402, James Markowsky to be Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fessil Energy).   Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #403, Warren Miller to be Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy).  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #407,Susan Kurland to be assistant Secretary of Transportation.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #408, Christopher Bertram to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #409, Dennis Hightower to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #410, Christopher Hart to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #411, Patricia Cahill to be a Member of the Boards of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #412, Daniel Elliott to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #413, Robert Adler to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Confirmed by voice vote. 
Cal. #414, Anne Northup to be Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Confirmed by voice vote.
All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Confirmed by voice vote.

Cal. #217, Tristram Coffin to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #218, Joyce Vance to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #219, Preet Bharara to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #259, B. Todd Jones to be U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #260, John Kacavas to be U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #310, A. Thomas McLellan to be Deputy Director of the National Drug Control Policy. Confirmed by vote vote.
Cal. #311, Alezandro Mayorkas to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #312, Christopher Schroeder to be Assistant Attorney General. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #313, Cranston Mitchell to be Commissioner of U.S. Parole Commission. Confirmed by voice vote.

Cal. #415, David J. Kappos of New York to be Under Secretary for Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #418, David Demag to be United States Marshal for the District of Vermont.

The following nominations were considered en bloc:
PN 499, Deborah Matz to be member of the National Credit Union Administrative Board. Confirmed by voice vote.
PN 647, Joan Evans to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Confirmed by voice vote.
PN823, Kevin Cochran to be Administrator of U.S. Fire Administration. Confirmed by voice vote.

The following nominations were considered en bloc:
PN 819, Alexander Garza to be Assistant Secretary and Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Homeland Security.
PN 528, Julia Clark to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Confirmed by voice vote.
PN 529, Ernest DuBester to be a member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Confirmed by voice vote.

Sen. Reid filed cloture on Nomination #167, Cass R. Sunstein to be Administrator of the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
The Senate will convene at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009 for a Pro Forma Session only.  The Senate will then adjourn under the provisions of H. Con. Res. 172 (Provisional Adjournment Resolution) until 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.  When the Senate convenes that day, it will proceed with Morning Business until 4:30 PM.  The Senate will then resume consideration of S. 1023 (Travel Promotion Act).  At 5:30 PM, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Dorgan amendment #1347 (Perfecting amendment) to the bill.

The Senate adjourned at 12:16 PM.   

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2009

The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM and will be 30 minutes of Morning Business.  At 10:00 AM, the Senate will proceed to an Executive Session to consider Cal. #209 (Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).  At 3:00 PM, the Senate will proceed to a confirmation vote on the nomination.  Following disposition of the nomination, the Senate will proceed to a Legislative Session to consider H.R. 3435 (Cash for Clunkers).  There will be up to 7 votes on amendments in relation to the bill prior to final passage.  At 5:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the Senate will proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Dorgan Substitute amendment to the Travel Promotion Bill.

The Senate convened and proceeded with Morning Business.

The Senate proceeded to an Executive Session. 

Cal. #209 (Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).  Yeas and nays ordered. The nomination was confirmed by a vote of 68-31.

H.R. 3435 (Cash for Clunkers). 

Harkin amend #2300 (To limit the provision of vouchers to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of less than $50,000 or joint filers with adjust gross income of less than $75,000).

Kyl amend #2301 (In Nature of a Substitute). Laid aside.

Gregg amend #2302 (To protect the generations of tomorrow from paying for new cars today). Laid aside.

Coburn amend #2304 (To provide assistance to charities and families in need). Laid aside.

Vitter amend #2303 (To provide for a date certain for termination of the Troubled Asset Relief Program). Laid aside.

Isakson amend #2306 (To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an income tax credit for certain home purchases). Laid aside.

Harkin amend #2300 (To limit the provision of vouchers to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of less than $50,000 or joint filers with adjust gross income of less than $75,000). Harkin Motion to Table the Amendment. The Motion to Table the Amendment was agreed to 65-32.

Kyl amend #2301 (In Nature of a Substitute). The amendment was not agreed to 40-57.

Gregg amend #2302 (To protect the generations of tomorrow from paying for new cars today). Murray point of order that the amendment violates Section 306 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Gregg Motion to Waive the Budget Act. The Motion to Waive the Budget Act was not agreed to by a vote of  46-51. The Point of Order was sustained and the amendment falls.

Coburn amend #2304 (To provide assistance to charities and families in need). Murray point of order that the amendment violates the Congressional Budget Act. Coburn Motion to Waive the Budget Act. The Motion to Waive the Budget Act was not agreed to by a vote of 41-56. The Point of Order was sustained and the amendment falls.

Vitter amend #2303 (To provide for a date certain for termination of the Troubled Asset Relief Program). The amendment was not agreed to by a vote of 41-56.

Isakson amend #2306 (To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an income tax credit for certain home purchases). Levin point of order that the amendment violates the Congressional Budget Act. Isakson Motion to Waive the Budget Act. The Motion to Waive the Budget Act was not agreed to by a vote of 47-50. The Point of Order was sustained and the amendment falls.

H.R. 3435 (Cash for Clunkers).  Kyl point of order that the emergency designation provision in the bill violates the Congressional Budget Act. Murray Motion to Waive the Budget Act. The Motion to Waive the Budget Act was agreed to by a vote of 60-37.

H.R. 3435 (Cash for Clunkers). Final Passage. Yeas and nays ordered. The bill passed by a vote of 60-37.

H.R. 3325 (An act to amend title 11 of the Social Security Act and so forth). Agreed to by voice vote.
                
S. Res. 40 (Designating September, 2009, as campus fire safety month). Agreed to by voice vote.
         
S. Res. 248 (Designating the month of August, 2009, as agent orange awareness month). Agreed to by voice vote.

S. Res. 249 (Honoring United States navy pilot captain Michael Scott Speicher killed in operation Desert Storm). Agreed to by voice vote.

S. Res. 250 (To authorize testimony and legal representation in the people of the state of California v. Amir  Shayen). Agreed to by voice vote.

The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM on Friday, August 7 and will be in a period of morning business. There will be no Roll Call Votes during tomorrow's session of the Senate. The next Roll Call Vote will occur on Tuesday, September 8 at 5:30 PM.

The Senate adjourned at 10:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009

The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM and will proceed with 30 minutes of Morning Business.  The Senate will then proceed to an Executive Session and resume consideration of Cal. #209, Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Senate will proceed with debate on the nomination from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  The Senate will recess from 3:00 PM  - 5:00 PM.  The Senate will then resume consideration of the nomination. 

The Senate convened and proceeded to a period of Morning Business. 

S. 1572 (A bill to provide for a point of order against any legislation that eliminates the ability of Americans to keep their health plans). The bill was read for a second time. Further proceedings on the bill were objected to.

The Senate proceeded to an Executive Session.

Cal. #209 (Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).

The Senate recessed at 3:10 PM until 5:00 PM.

The Senate convened at 5:00 PM.

The Senate proceeded to an Executive Session.

Cal. #209 (Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).

The Senate proceeded to a period of Morning Business.

S. 713 (Requires the administrator of FEMA to address the abundance and surplus of manufacturing housing units).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

The following amendments are considered en bloc:
H.R. 1275 (Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2009).
H.R. 2938 (To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project).
Agreed to en bloc by Unanimous Consent.

H. Con. Res. 171 (Use of Capitol Grounds to honor Military Personnel who have died in service).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

S. Res. 226 (September 2009 as Gospel Music Heritage Month).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

S. Res. 244 (25th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM on Thursday, August 6, 2009 and will be 30 minutes of morning business.  At 10:00 AM, the Senate will proceed to an Executive Session to consider Cal. #209 (Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).  At 3:00 PM, the Senate will proceed to a confirmation vote on the nomination.  Following disposition of the nomination, the Senate will proceed to a Legislative Session to consider H.R. 3435 (Cash for Clunkers).  There will be up to 7 votes on amendments in relation to the bill prior to final passage.  At 5:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the Senate will proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Dorgan Substitute amendment to the Travel Promotion Bill.

The Senate adjourned at 9:10 PM.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2009

The Senate will convene at 10:00 AM and will resume consideration of H. R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).  At 10:30 AM, the Senate will proceed to two stacked votes on the following amendments: McCain amend #1912 (To strike a provision relating to certain watershed and flood prevention operations) and McCain amend #2030 (Prohibits earmark funding for the Iowa Vitality Center, Iowa State University).  Following the votes, the Senate will recess until 2:15 PM for the weekly party lunches.

The Senate convened and proceeded to a Legislative Session.

H.R. 3435 (Consumer Assistance for the Recycle and Save Program). The bill was read for a second time. Further proceedings on the bill were objected to.

H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).

Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute). For the purposes of this bill, the text will be considered as original text.

McCain unanimous consent request that the Roll Call Vote on McCain amend #2030 (Prohibits earmark funding for the Iowa Vitality Center, Iowa State University) be vitiated, and that the vote be a voice vote. The unanimous consent request was agreed to.

McCain amend #1912 (To strike a provision relating to certain watershed and flood prevention operations). Yeas and nays ordered. The amendment was not agreed to by a vote of 27-70.

McCain amend #2030 (Prohibits earmark funding for the Iowa Vitality Center, Iowa State University).  The amendment was not agreed to by voice vote.

The following bills were agreed to en bloc by voice vote:
S. 748 (A bill to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2777 Logan Avenue in San Diego, California, as the "Cesar E. Chavez Post Office").
S. 1211 (A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 60 School Street, Orchard Park, New York, as the "Jack F. Kemp Post Office Building").
H.R. 774 (To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island City, New York, as the "Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building").
H.R. 987 (To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the "John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office").
H.R. 2090 (To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 431 State Street in Ogdensburg, New York, as the "Frederic Remington Post Office Building").      
H.R. 2162 (To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 11th Avenue South in Nampa, Idaho, as the "Herbert A Littleton Postal Station").
H.R 2470 (To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19190 Cochran Boulevard FRNT in Port Charlotte, Florida, as the "Lieutenant Commander Roy H. Boehm Post Office Building").

H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).

Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute). For the purposes of this bill, the text will be considered as original text.

Kohl made a point of order en bloc that the following amendments are not germane post-cloture:

Murray amend #2225 (To allow State and local governments to participate in the conservation reserve program).
Nelson amend #2226 (To prohibit funds made available under this Act from being used to enforce a travel of conference policy that prohibits an event from being held in a location based on a perception that the location is a resort or vacation destination).
Coburn amend #2246 (To provide additional transparency and accountability for spending on conferences and meetings of the Department of Agriculture).
Coburn amend #2248 (To prohibit no-bid contracts and grants).
Kohl amend #2288 (To provide requirements regarding the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to enter into certain contracts).
The point of order was sustained and the amendments fall.

The Senate recessed at 11:22 AM for the party lunches.

The Senate convened at 2:15 PM and proceeded to a Legislative Session.

H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).

Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute). For the purposes of this bill, the text will be considered as original text.

Coburn amend #2244 (Eliminate funding in the bill for digital conversion efforts).  Laid aside.

Coburn amend #2243 (Eliminate double-dipped stimulus funds for the Rural Business Cooperative Service Account).  Withdrawn by Sen. Coburn.

Dodd amend #2284 (To require the Secretary of Agriculture to fund certain projects in communities and municipal districts in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island).  Agreed to by Voice Vote.

The following amendments are agreed to en bloc:
Johanns amend #2241 (To provide funding for the tuberculosis program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).
Kohl amend #2280 (Dairy).
Sanders amend #2271 (To provide funds for the school community garden pilot program, with an offset), as modified.
Cardin amend #2282 (To require the Commissioner of the Food and Drugs to conduct a study on the labeling of personal care products for which organic content claims are made), as modified.
Hutchison amend #2249 (To express the Sense of the Senate relating to the provision of disaster assistance), as modified.
Sanders amend #2266 (To require the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to use certain funds to conduct a study on obesity), as modified.
Agreed to, en bloc, by Unanimous Consent.

Kohl Point of Order that Barrasso amend #2240 (To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a State-by-State analysis of the impacts on agricultural producers of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009) is not germane postcloture.  The Chair ruled the Point of Order is well taken and the amendment falls.

Coburn Motion to Commit H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill) to the Committee on Appropriations with Instructions.

Nelson (NE) amend #2285 (To express the sense of the Senate regarding the livestock indemnity program).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

Coburn amend #2244 (Eliminate funding in the bill for digital conversion efforts).  Yeas and nays ordered.  The amendment was not agreed to by a vote of 37-60.

Coburn amend #2245 (To strike a provision providing $3,000,000 for specialty cheeses in Vermont and Wisconsin).  The amendment was not agreed to by Voice Vote.

Coburn Motion to Commit H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill) to the Committee on Appropriations with Instructions.  The Motion to Commit was not agreed to by a vote of 32-65.

Sanders amend #2276 (To modify the amount made available for the Farm Service Agency).   Agreed to by Voice Vote.

Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute), as amended.  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill), as amended.  The bill was read for a third time.  Final Passage.  The bill, as amended, passed by a vote of 80-17.

Under a previous order, the Senate insists on its amendments, requests a Conference with the House on the disagreeing votes and the Chair appoints the following conferees:  Sens. Kohl, Harkin, Feinstein, Durbin, Johnson, Reed, Pryor, Inouye, Shelby, Bennett, Cochran, Bond, McConnell and Collins.

The Senate proceeded to an Executive Session.

Cal. #209 (Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court).  Laid aside.

The Senate proceeded to an Executive Session to consider the following nominations en bloc:
Cal. #316, Patricia A. Butenis, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Maldives.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #317, Charles Aaron Ray, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Zimbabwe.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #318, Gayleatha Beatrice Brown, of New Jersey, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Burkina Faso.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #320,  Pamela Jo Howell Slutz, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Burundi.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #321, Patricia Newton Moller, of Arkansas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #322, Jerry P. Lanier, of North Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Uganda.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #323, Alfonso E. Lenhardt, of New York, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania.  Confirmed by voice vote.  
Cal. #324, Samuel Louis Kaplan, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #325, James B. Smith, of New Hampshire, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #326, Miguel Humberto Diaz, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #327, Fay Hartog-Levin, of Illinois, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  Confirmed by voice vote.
Cal. #328, Stephen J. Rapp, of Iowa, to be Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues.  Confirmed by voice vote.

S. 475 (Amend the Service Members' Civil Relief Act, to guarantee the equity of spouses, of military personnel, with regard to manners of residency).  Agreed to by voice vote.

H. J. Res 44 (Recognizing the service, sacrifice, honor, and professionalism of the noncommissioned officers of the United States Army).  Agreed to by voice vote.

S. Res. 239 (Supporting the goals and ideals of “National Purple Heart Recognition Day”).  Agreed to by voice vote.

S. Res. 240 (Designating September 9, 2009, as “National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day”).  Agreed to by voice vote.

S. 1572 (Provide for a point of order against any legislation that eliminates or reduces the ability of Americans to keep their health plan or their choice of doctor or that decreases the number of Americans enrolled in private health insurance while increasing the number of Americans enrolled in government-managed health care).  The first reading of the bill was agreed to by voice vote.  The second reading of the bill was objected to. 

The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, August 5, 2009.  The Senate will proceed with 30 minutes of Morning Business.  The Senate will then proceed to an Executive Session and resume consideration of Cal. #209, Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Senate will proceed with debate on the nomination from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  The Senate will recess from 3:00 PM  - 5:00 PM.  The Senate will then resume consideration of the nomination. 

The Senate adjourned at 9:55 PM. 

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009

The Senate will convene at 2:00 PM and will proceed with one hour of Morning Business.  The Senate will then resume consideration of H. R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).  At 5:30 PM, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute) to the bill. 

The Senate convened and proceeded to a period of Morning Business.

The Senate proceeded to a Legislative Session.

H.R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).

Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute).

McCain amend #1910 (To strike a setaside for certain grants authorized under the Rural Electrification Act).  Laid aside.

McCain amend #1912 (To strike a provision relating to certain watershed and flood prevention operations).  Laid aside.

McCain amend #2030 (Prohibits earmark funding for the Iowa Vitality Center, Iowa State University).  Laid aside.

Kohl amend #2233 (To provide the Food and Drug Administration the ability to collect user fees as authorized by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

Tester amend #2230 (To clarify a provision relating to funding for a National Animal Identification Program).  Agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

Brownback amend #2229 (To establish within the Food and Drug Administration 2 review groups to recommend solutions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases and neglected diseases of the developing world), as modified.  Agreed to by Voice Vote.

Johanns amend #2241 (To provide funding for the tuberculosis program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).  Laid aside.

Chambliss amend #2253 (To require a report on the status of the reorganization of the Foreign Agriculture Service), as modified.  Agreed to by Voice Vote.

Barrasso amend #2240 (State by State analysis of the Clean Energy and Security Act). Laid aside.

Coburn amend #2243 (Eliminate double-dipped stimulus funds for the Rural Business Cooperative Service Account).

Coburn amend #2244 (Eliminate funding in the bill for digital conversion efforts). Laid aside.

Coburn amend #2245 (Strike a provision for specialty Wisconsin cheeses). Laid aside.

Coburn amend #2248 (Prohibit no-bid contracts and grants). Laid aside.

Coburn amend #2246 (Provide transparency for spending on conferences of the Dept. of Agriculture). Laid aside.

Kohl 2nd degree amend #2288 (Requirements regarding the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to enter certain contracts) to Coburn amend #2248 (Prohibit no-bid contracts and grants). Laid aside.

Kohl amend #2289 (ensure compliance of the United States regarding obligations under international trade agreements). Agreed to by voice vote.

Brownback amend #2254 (prohibit use of funds to assess greenbook charges). Agreed to by voice vote.

Brownback amend #2255 (require the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to conduct study on imported seafood). Agreed to by voice vote.

Landrieu amend #2259 (Report on increasing the participation of rural small businesses in tourism activities). Agreed to by voice vote

Motion to invoke cloture on the Kohl amend #1908 (Complete Substitute). Yeas and nays ordered. The motion to invoke cloture was agreed to by a vote of 83-11.

McCain amend #1910 (To strike a setaside for certain grants authorized under the Rural Electrification Act).  The amendment was not agreed to 41-55.

Sanders amend #2276 (Farm Service Agency). Laid aside.

Sanders amend #2271 (School community garden pilot program). Laid aside.

H.R. 3435 (Supplemental Appropriations for the Recycle and Save Program). 1st reading.

The Senate will convene on Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 AM and will resume consideration of H. R. 2997 (Agriculture Appropriations Bill).  At 10:30 AM the Senate will proceed to two stacked votes on the following amendments: McCain amend #1912 (To strike a provision relating to certain watershed and flood prevention operations) and McCain amend #2030 (Prohibits earmark funding for the Iowa Vitality Center, Iowa State University).  The Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 PM for the weekly party lunches.

The Senate adjourned at 8:50 PM.