Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed in opening Senate floor debate on #FY23NDAA defense bill: "As we have seen with disturbing clarity, Putin has demonstrated his willingness to inflict violence and undermine the global order for his own benefit."
Reed (D-RI): "The importance of U.S. support for the Ukranian people cannot be overstated. They are fighting our fight and we must aid them."
Reed: "As we discuss the NDAA, we must keep in mind that the United States is engaged in a long-term strategic competition with China and Russia."
Reed: "Beijing poses the primary potential threat to our national security as the only country in the world with the economic and technological capacity to mount a sustain challenge to our interest."
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72-23: Senate advances a short-term spending bill funding gov't past Fri's deadline thru Dec. 16th to avert a shutdown.60 votes were needed. CR includes $12.3B for Ukraine & 5-yr FDA user fee reauthorization. Manchin's permitting reform bill was removed from CR prior to the vote.
22 Senate Republicans including McConnell joined all Democrats in voting Yes for advancing the short-term funding bill to avert a government shutdown Friday at midnight. All 23 voting No were Republicans. senate.gov/legislative/LI…
McConnell after voting to advance CR: “As I have said for weeks, there has been a clear and simple path to fund the government: A clean continuing resolution negotiated by Senators Shelby and Leahy, without any extraneous partisan language jammed in.”
Senate NOW voting to advance the short-term spending bill funding the federal government past Friday's deadline to avert a shutdown. 60 votes are needed. CR will now not include Manchin's permitting reform bill. withdrawn by Schumer before the vote.
Sanders votes Yes on CR with Manchin permitting reform bill language now removed, which he had called a "disastrous side deal."
Sanders on the removal of Manchin permitting reform bill from the CR: “This is a victory for the survival of the planet and a major loss for the fossil fuel industry.”
14-1: Senate Rules & Administration Cmte approved the bipartisan Electoral Count Act reform bill, favorably reporting it out to the full Senate. Cruz (R-TX) was the only Senator to vote No. Merkley and Schumer were both absent, but would have voted Aye if they were present today.
Cruz opposing the Senate Electoral Count Act reform bill: "What this bill is trying to do is take Congress out of the business of trying to correct fraud. I understand why Democrats are supporting this bill. I don't understand why Republicans are."
“Ldr Schumer is pleased this important bipartisan legislation which he supports,passed out of Senate Rules Cmte today,& he looks fwd to continuing to have bipartisan, bicameral discussions abt the best way to ensure Electoral Count Act reform legislation is signed into law soon.”
CR Just Released: Short-term spending bill funding the federal government through December 16th to avoid a Friday midnight shutdown now out ahead of the Senate’s 1st vote to advance the CR later today at 5:30pm. (237 pages) appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…
CR currently includes Manchin’s permitting reform bill (Section 212. Streamlining Process for Authorizations and Reviews of Energy and Natural Resources Projects).
CR also provides $12.3 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, including training, equipment, weapons, logistics support, and direct financial support for the government of Ukraine, requested by WH.
CBO responds to the House & Senate Education Committees top Republicans request on the cost of President Biden's August 24th executive actions on suspending student loan payments and canceling debt
Schumer/Warren: “Today’s CBO estimate makes clear that millions of middle class Americans have more breathing room thanks to President Biden’s historic decision to cancel student debt.”
Schumer:”In contrast to Pres. Trump & Republicans who gave giant corporations $2 trillion in tax breaks,Pres.Biden delivered transformative middle class relief by cancelling student debt for working people who need it most,nearly 90% of relief $ will go to those earning >$75K/yr”