Today in Washington D. C. - Nov 9, 2007

From Senate sources: Yesterday, the Senate agreed to the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations conference report (H.R. 3222) by voice vote. The way for the Defense bill was cleared after Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) agreed to drop his objections to the bill’s lack of bridge funding for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Senate also voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (H.R. 1495).

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated last night that negotiations were continuing on how to work on the farm bill (H.R. 2419). Reid said he thinks the bill can be completed next week. Work on the bill stalled after Reid’s decision to prevent Republicans from offering amendments. CongressDaily reports that Reid has said he’d like to attempt to move an energy bill next week as well, but internal Democrat division might prevent that.

Late last night, the Senate finally confirmed Judge Michael Mukasey to be attorney general by a vote of 53-40. Despite their early praise for Mukasey, only six Democrats and Sen. Joe Lieberman joined with Republicans to confirm him. His nomination had been pending longer than any other attorney general in 20 years. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, “[A] clear bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Mukasey because he is one of the most qualified candidates ever nominated to the position of Attorney General. This support stands in stark contrast to the partisan politics that delayed this vote for seven weeks, and ends a sorry chapter in the history of the Senate confirmation process.”

Senate Republican leaders had choice words for the Democrats’ year of mismanagement at a press conference this week. Video highlights!

The AP reports today on House Democrats’ intractable plans for yet another attempt to attach withdrawal language to funding for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sen. McConnell said , “What unfortunate timing for Democrats, announcing yet another attempt at a withdrawal date on a day when the papers are filled with encouraging news from Iraq. While our troops are quelling violence and defeating terrorists in Baghdad and throughout Iraq, Democrats in Washington are trying to choke off funds for our troops in the field.”

Sen. Lieberman said of Democrats’ attitudes this week: “Even as evidence has mounted that General Petraeus’ new counterinsurgency strategy is succeeding, Democrats have remained emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq, reluctant to acknowledge the progress we are now achieving, or even that that progress has enabled us to begin drawing down our troops there.”

On the Floor: Not much!! The Senate reconvenes for a pro forma session. The Senate will then stand in recess until Tuesday, Nov. 13.

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