Thread: CSpan2 - Senate Convenes (9/20/07) 6:30am Pacific

http://www.cspan.org

(Navigate "scroll" down to bottom right of main page to find links for video streams, select CSpan-2)


Roll being called. 6:35am

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Folks, I'm starting this thread to provide a live real-time coverage of the Senate today. I can't promise I can stick with it all day - but I will try.

They are scheduled to be in 'morning business' the first hour. After that - on to regular debate.

The current situation is that they are still hammering through amendments related to the DoD Appropriations - the DREAM Act has only been introduced (*I think* I didn't actually catch that event by Durbin).

In any case, even if I get called away I do hope someone else can jump in and cover the Senate - it's so very important and this thread is a good source of info for some folks that can only monitor developments from work, etc.

I'm going to take a break to get up and prepped for the day. So, I'll be away for about 30 minutes. I'll try to monitor so that if the DREAM Act appears suddenly I'll jump back in and provide the play-by-play.

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Thanks so much for keeping us informed!

portaltotx: Ubetcha!

6:46am Blanche Lincoln speaking about diverse communities in AR (my words, not hers).

...Much filler dialog...

6:51am (PT) Sen Lincoln finished speaking.

(in Quorum call - no speaker at moment)

Sen. Pryor (AR) Now speaking...(6:53am PT)

Talking about the Little Rock Central HS Visitor's Center built and dedicated to the famous "Little Rock 9" from famous 1957 civil rights events.

Pryor finished,

Brief quorum call,

Now Sen Coburn (R-OK) speaking about upcoming attempt to raise Federal Debt Ceiling. (7:05am PT)

Just mentioned the low approval ratings of Congress (11% emphatically).

Also, mentioned the high per-person debt level is just plain wrong.

Coburn said he is putting this body on notice not to agree to U & C (Usual and Customary) procedure regarding the upcoming handling of the Federal Debt Ceiling. He wants full and mandatory debate and will do everything to ensure that happens.

(Actually, it was a very short but rather good speech he did just now.)

For those that don't know about Sen Coburn, he is a physician (MD) by vocation. And, IMHO, one of the smarter and most consistent senators in the Senate.

Coburn finished. (7:11am PT)

Vitter is on the floor opposing the Dream Act.

Vitter is saying that the message the American people sent Congress during the summer seems to have fallen on deaf ears on some members in the Senate. He's giving them hell.