A Lunchtime Discussion with the Minority Leader

After my discussion with the Majority Leader, I thought it would only be fair to catch up with Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) to hear his thoughts on tonight's proceedings. 

He started by telling me "I'm looking forward to a productive and orderly session. I think that there is some good legislation that has been produced thus far," but assured "there will certainly be strong opposition to some of the bills proposed."

"The new Democrat Leadership [with Majority Leader Schumer] and I have worked hard to ensure that some of the most controversial Democrat proposals have been amended...[but] in order to allow the current bipartisan spirit of cooperation to continue, I'd prefer not to comment on too many specific points of the negotiation until a unanimous consent agreement is finalized".

He did tell me, though, that the SHOP Act "will be tested in a pilot study" and the Administration's controversial regulatory proposal, once referred to by the Senator as "The Blank Check Act of 2009", "l now has an overall cap on spending and a cap on how much any one company can receive".

What Has Been Reported to the Floor?

As of this morning the following bills have been reported to the Senate floor by committees:

Finance:

1. Physician Payments Accountability (PPA) Act of 2009
2. Resolution Authority for Systematically Significant Financial Companies Act of 2009
3. Small-business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act of 2009
4. Hospital Operating Procedure Enhancement for America’s Veterans (HOPE for America’s Veterans) Act of 2009

EPW:

1. Climate and Energy Protection Act (CEPA) of 2009
2. Free Resource and Energy Exercise Defining Our Moment (FREEDOM) Act of 2009
3. Pressing Return of the Environment and Costal Conservation Experience that is Dangerously near Expenditure (PRECEDE) Act
4. Generating the Requisite Opportunities for Work in the United States (GROW US) Act of 2009
5. Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2009
6. Water Resources Improvement Act
7. Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009

Information from Minority Leader McConnell - we will amend as is necessary.

NRSC Chairman Cornyn Holds Event Before Floor Session

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) will hold an NRSC event before the floor session tonight at the Scripps Dining hall. In an obvious showing of his mastery of the web, Cornyn includes in his E-vite that the event is to "commend the outstanding and tireless work of the Republican Senators in the Finance and EPW Committees".

Republican stars, such as Mitt Romney, have also been invited to the event but have not RSVP'd. 

Let's see how well Cornyn and McConnell can rally their troops before what could be a grueling floor session.

Schumer Reports "Assurances" SHOP and CEPA Will Pass, Needs Votes from Specter and Snowe

I caught up with Senator Schumer (D-NY) outside of Collins Dining hall on CMC's campus today, and we discussed the controversial SHOP and CEPA Acts. SHOP is legislation designed to expand health care, while CEPA is a cap-and-trade bill similar to legislation the Senate has tried to pass numerous times.

In order for both bills to pass, democrats will need to pick up two republican votes, most likely from moderate Senators Snowe (R-MN) and Specter (R-PN).

Last night, the new Majority Leader told me, "I'm concerned that Senators Snowe and Specter may not be voting on this act. I implore them to look at the text of the bill and remember that their constituents voted decisively for this kind of change in November," referring to a strong turnout for President Obama in Pennsylvania and Maine. He continued, "I think if they look at polling specifically on health care and environmental legislation in their states they will see there is strong support for both Cap-and-Trade initiatives and expansion of health care."

The Senator added, "Senator Snowe sponsored legislation comparable to SHOP on previous occasions" and "Ultimately I'm confident in Senatore Snowe, seeing as she's voted for expansion of health care as well as regulatory reforms on numerous prior occasions."

Today, Schumer seemed confident he would pick up the necessary votes, saying he had "assurances" from Minority Leader McConnell the legislation would pass. Just how the Republicans will benefit from this remains to be seen, and will ultimately be unveiled tonight on the Senate floor.

"I think they'll see the light of day. I have great faith in my colleagues in Maine and Pennsylvania," Schumer concluded.

Claremont Beat TV Coverage --Day 3

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sen. Schumer on assuming Majority Leader status

I caught up with Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) a few hours ago, who in a surprising mid-session turn, assumed the status of Senate Majority Leader Wednesday evening.

Schumer opened with a desire to "commend Sen. Reid for his great work as Majority Leader for the last two years."

The Senator from New York pledged that he will "work in a bipartisan manner to get things done." He affirmed that he would do his best to "ensure that the Environmental and Public Works Committee functions and that there are no more walkouts."

There have been none since Schumer's assumption of the role.

Schumer established that he plans on "pushing the American peoples' agenda." Foremost in the agenda, according to the Senator, were the implementation of a cap and trade program and expansion of health care coverage.

Asked about the possibility that his plans fail, Schumer remarked: "The American people will be aghast if Republicans stonewall this much-needed legislation. Tackling these issues was the mandate for government in the 2008 elections."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): "Down with the commies!"

At approximately 2215 hours Wednesday evening, while the EPW committee was in session, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was spotted on G-Chat with a status memo that read: "Down with the commies!"

Klobuchar did not comment on the matter.

EPW Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA), asked about her fellow Democrat, remarked: "I don't mind what Senator Klobuchar does on her own time just so long as she's productive in committee."