First Draft: Senate
Sen. Kennedy Won't Return Until January
September 7, 2008, 6:32 P.M.
Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy (D), who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May, will not return to the Senate until January, according to Democratic sources. He had been expected to return this month but instead will work from home. His doctors say he is progressing well.
GOP May Continue to Block Non-Energy Bills
September 5, 2008, 2:09 P.M.
As Republicans file back to Washington from their convention in St. Paul, Minn., a senior GOP aide said they may continue to block Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) from taking up any legislation unrelated to reducing prices at the pump.
Reid Has Tough Schedule Ahead
September 5, 2008, 1:18 P.M.
As the Senate returns Monday for what many hope will be its final three weeks of the year, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has a checklist of specific accomplishments that he wants to achieve.
Reid Slams Bush Timetable in Iraq
August 22, 2008, 4:16 P.M.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Friday criticized Bush administration resistance to an Iraqi proposal to have the bulk of U.S. troops out of the country by 2010 — the same year as has been proposed by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.).
Coburn to Speak at GOP Convention
August 21, 2008, 3:19 P.M.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who often plays spoiler for pet projects of his GOP colleagues, has been given a coveted slot to speak at the Republican presidential convention in Minnesota on the night of Sept. 2.
Despite VP Talk, Reid Backs Lieberman
August 21, 2008, 11:49 A.M.
With the controversy surrounding Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) speaking at the GOP presidential convention and his name being floated as a potential GOP running mate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) maintains that there will be no consequences for the Independent-Democrat.
Democratic Senate Candidates to Address Convention
August 21, 2008, 10:43 A.M.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and a handful of his top Senate recruits will warm up the crowd Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention.
Feinstein Won’t Go to Denver
August 20, 2008, 10:07 A.M.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who was a prominent supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) when she was running for president, won’t be attending next week’s Democratic National Convention. But Feinstein’s absence shouldn’t be interpreted as a sign of disapproval for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the party’s soon-to-be-official nominee.
Reid Calls for Energy Tax Extenders Package
August 15, 2008, 2:05 P.M.
Before his energy summit takes place next week in Las Vegas, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Friday emphasized the need for renewable-energy tax cuts that are being blocked by Republicans.
Stevens Airs New Ads Touting Accomplishments
August 14, 2008, 1:37 P.M.
Embattled Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) on Thursday launched three new campaign ads as he turns toward the home stretch before the Aug. 26 primary.
Reid Back in Nevada, Focusing on Energy
August 12, 2008, 4:53 P.M.
Now that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is back from his trip to Afghanistan, he is dashing head first into the energy debate, with two summits on renewable energy and the environment in the next week.
Grassley Questions FBI on Anthrax
August 8, 2008, 2:13 P.M.
In response to the FBI briefing that lawmakers received on the developments surrounding the anthrax investigation, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter requesting more information about the government’s findings.
Mueller to Brief Leahy on Anthrax Probe
August 7, 2008, 1:46 P.M.
A Democratic aide today confirmed that Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and FBI Director Robert Mueller will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss the anthrax investigation.
Coburn Blasts AIDS Conference
August 5, 2008, 5:03 P.M.
The man who once blasted the AIDS bill when it was on the Senate floor is now criticizing an international conference on the same subject.
Reid Travels to Former Soviet Union
August 5, 2008, 4:03 P.M.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is taking advantage of his time outside of the Senate to pay official visits to two central Asian countries and one in Europe.
McConnell Works Kentucky Circuit
August 4, 2008, 3:08 P.M.
In the first week of the summer recess, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is making the rounds through Kentucky and getting much-needed face time with voters.
Senate Wraps Up for Summer
August 1, 2008, 12:37 P.M.
The Senate wrapped up its work for the summer on a somber note Thursday night, as lawmakers frustrated with the stalemate on energy leave with very little to boast about when they return home.
Two Conference Reports to Get Vote
July 31, 2008, 5:39 P.M.
The Senate will vote on conference reports for higher education and consumer products bills Thursday night, even though the chamber has stalled on the energy debate.
Impasse on Energy Continues
July 31, 2008, 3:36 P.M.
In what may be a last-ditch attempt to force their colleagues to do something on energy prices before feeling the heat at home, Senate leaders took to the floor Thursday in an attempt to break the two-week impasse on energy.
Reid Downplays Oct. 1 Adjournment
July 31, 2008, 1:13 P.M.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) sounded a note of caution on Thursday about expectations that lawmakers can leave town for adjournment by the end of September.
Clinton to Speak on Second Night of Convention
July 31, 2008, 12:27 P.M.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will be the keynote speaker on the second night of the Democratic National Convention, CNN reported Thursday.
Energy Deal Off, for Now
July 30, 2008, 6:12 P.M.
An agreement that would have allowed Senate Republicans to offer four amendments on the oil-speculation bill is off the table as of now, as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) withdrew his offer from Republicans after they refused to back a tax-extenders bill.
Stevens Addresses GOP Colleagues
July 30, 2008, 2:21 P.M.
Leaving the GOP steering luncheon early, one lawmaker said that embattled Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) addressed his colleagues at the meeting.
GOP to Accept Energy Deal
July 30, 2008, 12:22 P.M.
According to a senior GOP aide, Senate Republicans will accept Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) offer to allow votes on four amendments to the leader’s oil markets speculation bill.
Stevens to Be Arraigned Thursday
July 30, 2008, 11:34 A.M.
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) will be arraigned Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Hutchison to Fill Ranking Slot on Senate Commerce Committee
July 30, 2008, 11:23 A.M.
According to Senate Republican sources, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is expected to replace indicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) as the ranking member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
Reid: Pro Forma Session Through August
July 29, 2008, 3:53 P.M.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday that he was not worried about Republicans forcing the Senate to stay in session, as they’ve threatened, in order to force action on energy legislation before leaving for the August recess.
Energy Deal Close
July 29, 2008, 11:04 A.M.
Senate leaders were closing in Tuesday morning on a deal that would allow them to move forward on energy.
Coburn Makes Nice
July 28, 2008, 8:04 P.M.
Trying to move two of the measures that were included in the package of bills that he initially blocked, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) offered Monday night to agree to pass them by unanimous consent.
‘Coburn Omnibus’ Defeated
July 28, 2008, 5:30 P.M.
After an angry partisan exchange over how the Senate does its business, lawmakers failed to cut off debate on a package of bills that has bipartisan support but is being blocked by a single GOP lawmaker.
Senate Closes in on Energy Deal
July 28, 2008, 4:15 P.M.
Late Monday afternoon and with only days to go before the August recess, Senate leaders may have struck a deal on energy legislation.
Coburn Bill Slated for 4 p.m.
July 28, 2008, 3:06 P.M.
Some 35 bills that have been blocked by a fiscally conservative GOP Senator may finally get their chance to debut on the Senate floor this afternoon.
Recess Still a Ways Off
July 28, 2008, 1:17 P.M.
The light at the end of the Senate tunnel is starting to appear, as Congress only has a few more days left before it leaves for summer break.
Senate Stuck on Energy
July 26, 2008, 3:39 P.M.
After approving the housing bill midday Saturday, Senate Republicans stuck to their plan to block legislation unrelated to reducing prices at the gas pump.
Tempers Short in Saturday Session
July 26, 2008, 2:16 P.M.
The Senate played host to angry partisan bickering during its two votes Saturday morning.
Weekend Session Starts With DeMint, Durbin Sparring
July 26, 2008, 10:58 A.M.
The weekend session got off to a fiery start between Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who engaged in a heated debate over the merits of the Saturday vote.
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NRCC Chair, Rep. Tom Cole
C-SPAN — September 3, 2008
RNC Security - September 3, 2008
