Saturday, May 23, 2015

Senator Paul with the help of Seantor Heinrich has successfully defeated...

...procedural votes on both The American Freedom Act required a 60 vote majority and failed. The NSA provisions of the Patriot Act was defeated with less than a simple majority. Senator McConnell attempted short term extensions in several renditions of the with no success. 

The current idea is to bring the US Senate back to session on May 31 at 5PM for a vote on an extension of the Patriot Act before it expires midnight of June 1, 2015.

Highway extension to be passed this morning. The highway extension has been postponed until May 31st. The Senate was adjourned until May 31st at 5PM EDT.

Congratulations to Senator Paul and Senator Heinrich. Senator Paul was more than willing to forgo four of his six amendments to pass the Patriot Act, but, it was not allowed. The US Senate has successfully blocked the House NSA surveillance bill and the two month extension.

Majority leader McConnell is somewhat alarmed by the fact there is a high threat level overseas and the Patriot Act was not returned from it's sunset date.

The Senate is acting on a House bill for the renewal of the Patriot Act and it is not going over well in the US Senate.

Senator Mikulski is appalled the US Senate has been adjourned without renewal of the Patriot Act or at the very least voted for The American Freedom Act. She stated the thousands of people at the NSA were carrying out an important job to protect the USA's defense. She stated these people have been harassed in their private lives, including bullying of their children because of the work they did.

No one is dissolving FISA or Executive Order 12333. I suggest the people at the NSA and it's director review the importance of FISA and expect to fall back on it as the Patriot Act expires.

Senator Dick Durbin has objected to another extension of the Highway Bill and wants a six year program. He is consenting to a 60 extension but there is a six year program that is needed. He expects the full bill to be passed when the US Senate returns. The extension was approved for 90 days on a verbal consent. 

Most of the Senators have left the chamber.

Senator Mark Rounds has moved to Executive Session and nominations be submitted. All nominations passed.

The US Senate finally adjourned until 4PM May 26th. The further votes on the Patriot Act will not occur until May 31st to convene at 4PM.