the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July 25, 2012

• Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
• The time until 2:15pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 30 minutes.
• As a reminder, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3412, the Middle Class Tax Cut on Monday, July 23^rd.  By unanimous consent, at 2:15pm on Wednesday, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3412, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act.

As a reminder at 2:15pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3412, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of 2 roll call votes beginning at 4pm today on the McConnell-Hatch amendment # _____ and on passage of S.3412, as amended, if amended. Each subject to a majority vote threshold. There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. As a result of this agreement, there will be no cloture vote at 2:15pm.

Prior to locking in the agreement, Senator Reid asked consent to vote on the McConnell–Hatch amendment and Reid bill, as amended, if amended, and when the Senate receives a companion bill from the House, the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, insert the text of S.3412, as passed by the Senate, and the Senate pass the House bill, as amended.

Senator McConnell asked consent to strike the provision to marry the Senate language with the House bill and, in lieu, vote on the McConnell-Hatch proposal, a McConnell amendment, which is his version of “ the President’s tax bill”, and the Reid bill (S.3412). Senator Reid declined to modify his request to vote on those three items because the President strongly supports the Reid bill and that is the President’s proposal.

Senator Reid then agreed to strike the provision to marry the Senate language with the House bill per McConnell’s request, and renewed his request, as modified. That request was agreed to.

McConnell-Hatch amendment (text of S.3413), to temporarily extend tax relief provisions enacted in 2001 and 2003, to provide for temporary alternative minimum tax relief, to extend increased expensing limitations, and to provide instructions for tax reform (McConnell-Hatch).

S.3412, a bill to extend the 2001, 2003 and 2009 tax cuts for 98% of Americans and 97% of all small businesses (Reid).

4:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Hatch-McConnell amendment #2573 (Extends 2001 and 2003 tax cuts); Not Agreed to: 45-54

4:50pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.3412, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act; Passed: 51-48

Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.3414, Cyber Security, and filed cloture on the motion. The vote would occur Friday unless an agreement can be reached.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Hatch-McConnell amendment #2573 (the Tax Hike Prevention Act) to S.3412; Not agreed to: 45-54

2)      Passage of S.3412, the Middle Class Tax Act of 2012; Passed: 51-48

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.285, a bill for the relief of Sopuruchi Chukwueke.

Passed H.R.5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3429, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012. (Nelson FL)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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