Senate Votes To Raise Debt Ceiling And To Restore COLA For Current Military and Retirees

Editorial Cartoon by Gary Varvel - his FB Page

Today in Washington, D.C. - Feb 13, 2014.
The Senate is not in session today. A couple Senate leaders are scheduled to tomorrow 10:00 AM for a pro forma session. Next week the Senate will be out for their State Work Period.

Yesterday the Senate passed the following bills and confirmed the following individuals:
S 25 (95-3) - Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S.25; An act to ensure that the reduced annual cost-of-living adjustment to the retired pay of members and former members of the Armed Forces under the age of 62 required by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 will not apply to members or former members who first became members prior to January 1, 2014, and for other purposes.
S. 540 (55-43) - Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S.540; An act to temporarily extend the public debt limit, and for other purposes. Every Republican opposed the hike. Patriot Post noted "[T]he cloture vote to actually bring the bill to the floor was 67-31, with 12 Republicans voting to end debate. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) insisted on the 60-vote threshold because no spending cuts were attached to the deal. Raising the debt ceiling has become little more than a formality because spending only ever goes in one direction – up. Even the “cuts” the GOP is fighting to win are reductions in the growth rate. And it's because precious few in Washington actually care about anything beyond the next election."

Confirmed (97-3) Catherine Ann Novelli, of VA, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Confirmed (98-0) Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State.
Confirmed (98-0) Tina S. Kaidanow, of D.C., to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism.

The House is not in session. They will also be State / Constituent Work week. The Congressional Calendar reflects their return on Feb 25, 2014.

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