Today in Washington D. C. - Dec 13, 2007

From Senate & News Sources: Several news stories tell the tale today. The AP: “Congressional Democrats prepared Wednesday for major concessions on Iraq war funding, children's health insurance, tax policies, general spending and energy, because they could not overcome vetoes by President Bush.” The Wall Street Journal: “Intraparty Feuds Dog Democrats, Stall Congress.” The Washington Post: “Democrats Blaming Each Other For Failures.”

On The Floor: the Senate finally went to work early - reconvened at 8:30 AM and resumed consideration of the farm bill (H.R. 2419). So far this morning: the Senate rejected an amendment (failed to get 60 votes) by Sens. Dorgan (D-ND) and Grassley (R-IA) that would bar farming couples from making more than $250,000 a year in federal subsidies (currently $360,000). In addition, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid held another cloture vote this morning on the Democrats’ energy bill. This latest version lacked the renewable energy mandate which was voted down last week but still included a package of tax increases. It failed by a vote of 59-40.

Yesterday, Senators worked through a number of amendments to the farm bill, all of which were rejected. Among the amendments that were voted down were amendments by Sen. Gregg (R-NH) to cut asparagus subsidies and to limit medical malpractice liability for rural OB/GYNs, and an amendment by Sen. Sessions (R-AL) to establish a pilot program to replace crop subsidies with farm savings accounts.

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