Senate Live - June 27, 2006

The Senate resumes at 9:45.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today the Senate began the debate on the flag resolution. Tomorrow we will be rotating half-hour blocks of time, starting at 11 with the majority side for 30 minutes and the minority side for 30 minutes, rotating back and forth in this fashion until 5 p.m. There will be no votes until after the policy luncheons tomorrow.

Even the Senators seem bored with this matter. There is plenty of quiet time without being driven by some parliamentary maneuver.

Specter puts borders first
By Stephen Dinan - THE WASHINGTON TIMES
June 27, 2006

Mr. Specter said that although the Senate would insist on a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for many illegal aliens in the final compromise bill, he is open to legislation that would make those proposals contingent on having a secure border and improved interior enforcement.

"It may be down the line that we will come to some terms on a timetable, with border security first and employment verification first," he said.

Such an amendment was offered during the Senate floor debate, but failed by a vote of 55-40, with Mr. Specter joining most Democrats and some Republicans in defeating it. Yesterday, Mr. Specter said he understands the sentiment of those who want enforcement first.

I'll be watching the Utah GOP primary race involving Chris Cannon. If I lived in Utah, I would be voting against him. With vigor.

Immigration the Utah House Battle Issue
Associated Press
By BROCK VERGAKIS , 06.26.2006, 02:38 PM

... Cannon won the seat in 1996, in part by arguing that the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Bill Orton, was soft on immigration. In 2004, Cannon's actions on the issue prompted conservatives to back Matt Throckmorton, who managed 42 percent in his GOP primary loss.

On a separate subject, Senator Murry is up, arguing that market forces should predominate the aircraft building industry (Airbus v. Boeing), and that the US should intervene in the European government subsidies granted to Airbus.

UPDATE @ 17:38

All this talk about protecting the Bill of Rights makes me want to puke. Personal independence and freedom are vastly diminished due to the "work" of Congress and the rest of the federal apparatus. See serious incursions to the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 9th and 10th amendments. How anybody can, with a straight face, assert that the 1st amendment has been protected, while at the same time McCain/Feingold is the law of the land, enforced at credible use of force, is NOT amusing to this writer.

Not that I'm for the anti-desecration amendment, I am strongly against it, but the assertion that the Congress has properly cared for and supported the Constitution is insulting to those who understand the Constitution.

UPDATE @ 17:55

Vote is on the Durbin amendment. Senator Byrd calls out, loud enough to be picked up by C-SPAN2's microphone, "Why don't we have the clerk read the amendment before the Senate votes on it?" He didn't get his wish.

This amendment will not pass. The resolution itself might (it needs 2/3rds), but shouldn't. If all 50 states have laws, why bother with a constitutional amendment?

UPDATE @ 18:14

The DURBIN amendment No. 4543 was REJECTED on a 36 - 64 vote. Purpose: a substitute for a constitutional amendment, creating a statutory violation for flag desecration.

The Durbin amendment had a number of GOP supporters. I notice 100 votes too, Senator Rockefeller must be back.

Next ... voting on S.Res.12

UPDATE @ 18:32

S.J. Res. 12, a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States was REJECTED on a 66 - 34 vote.

It doesn't get any closer than that.