Director’s Desk: November 22, 2013
Kenneth Gold | November 22, 2013
Although yesterday’s historic Senate vote to eliminate the filibuster for most presidential nominees grabbed most of the headlines, there was a second Senate vote, later in the day, that was perhaps equally historic. If there was any doubt over whether finally exercising the “nuclear option” would lead to even greater divisiveness in the upper chamber, it was quickly erased only hours later.
A procedural motion that would have advanced the FY14 defense authorization bill failed on the Senate floor, raising the real possibility that a bill that has been passed by Congress without exception for more than half a century will not pass this year. The cloture motion that would have ended debate on the bill fell nine votes short of the 60 needed for passage. Although the Senate can reconsider the defense bill when it returns from Thanksgiving recess the week of December 9, it would still need to be conferenced with the House version of the bill.
Please consider joining us on Capitol Hill on January 16 for our Congressional Update, in which we’ll look at these and other critical issues; or email or call me to discuss tailoring a half-day Congressional Update for your department or organization.
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Categories: Director's Desk, Updates