Congress Voting on Their Leadership - Can't Even Wait For the Military Votes

Military Votes Ignored By Congress

Today in Washington, D.C. - Nov. 14, 2012:  
Senate Democrats elected their new leadership team for the 113th Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (NV) was reelected . Democrats also re-elected Sens. Richard Durbin (IL) as  majority whip, Charles Schumer (NY) to be vice chairman of the conference and Patty Murray (WA) to be conference secretary.

Senate Republicans also elected their new leadership team for the 113th Congress. Republican senator Mitch McConnell (KY) was reelected Senate minority leader.

They also elected Sen. John Cornyn (TX) to be Republican Whip, re-elected  Sen. John Thune (SD) as Republican Conference Chairman, Sen. John Barrasso (WY) as Republican Policy Committee Chairman, and  Sen. Roy Blunt (MO) as Republican Conference Vice Chairman. In addition, Republicans elected  Sen. Jerry Moran (KS) as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) with vice-chairs Sen. Rob Portman (OH) and Sen.-elect Ted Cruz (TX).

The Senate will reconvene at 2:30 PM today and resume consideration of S. 3525, a bill to increase access to federal lands for hunting and fishing.

Last night, the Senate voted 92-5 to proceed to S. 3525. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) then immediately blocked Republicans from amending the bill, and filed cloture (to cut off debate). A cloture vote on the bill is expected tomorrow.  Reid also moved to reconsider the failed cloture vote on the cybersecurity bill, S. 3414. A new vote on cloture on the bill is possible this week.

The Weekly Standard writes today,  Conservative stalwarts Pat Toomey and Marco Rubio spoke in favor of McConnell's nomination at the closed door session. ‘Mitch unifies all of us, regardless of philosophy or what part of the country we come from,’ Rubio said of McConnell, according to a spokesman for the Florida senator. ‘He’s the smartest political mind around and a great listener. Above all else, what Mitch cares about is whether we succeed as a conference and as a country, and that’s why I’m proud to nominate him for another term as Leader.’”

Yesterday, the House passed:
H.R. 6371 (361 - 3) — "To amend title 40, United States Code, to transfer certain functions from the General Accountability Office to the Department of Labor relating to the processing of claims for the payment of workers who were not paid appropriate wages under certain provisions of such title."
H.R. 6586 (by voice vote) — "To extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014."
S. 1956 (by voice vote) — "To prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the United States from participating in the European Union's emissions trading scheme, and for other purposes."

Today, the House convened at 10 AM and is expected to adjourn between 2:30 - 3PM.  This morning Nancy Pelois was on the news declaring herself the singular candidate to continue to lead the House Democrat Caucus.  However, her coronation will not officially occur until after the Democrat caucus meets and votes for their leadership.  The Republican Caucus is expected to meet later today to elect their new leadership for the new Congressional session beginning January 2012.

It is amazing that any caucus should be electing their leadership before the election results are even certified.  The military votes have 10 days after the elections to arrive (5 PM on Nov 16th).  Appears serving one's country is not regarded much when it comes to voting.  Also, some congressional districts are being disputed. It seems more reasonable that the caucuses should wait until at least the election results are certified.

As of this posting, The House passed today:
H.R. 2606 (by voice vote) — "New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act"
H.R. 6570 (by voice vote) — "To amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to consolidate certain CBO reporting requirements."
H.R. 6116 (by voice vote) — "To amend the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide for direct appeals to the United States Supreme Court of decisions of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court."
H.R. 5934 (by voice vote) — "To amend title 18, United States Code, to include certain territories and possessions of the United States in the definition of State for the purposes of chapter 114, relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes and smokeless tobacco."

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