TLDR;
This video captures a series of proposed amendments in the Senate, each followed by debate and a vote. The amendments cover a range of issues, including school meal funding, clean energy, child care, election integrity, transgender surgeries for minors, electricity prices, border security, and prescription drug costs. Each amendment faces a point of order challenge, requiring a vote to waive the order before the amendment itself can be considered. Ultimately, all the amendments fail to pass, highlighting the deep divisions within the Senate on these key issues.
- Senator Hirono proposes an amendment to ensure funding for free school meals before allocating additional funds to ICE and CBP, but it fails due to a point of order.
- Senator Hickinlooper introduces an amendment to lower costs for Americans by investing in clean, affordable energy, which also fails due to a point of order.
- Senator Alen Brooks presents an amendment addressing affordable child care, which meets the same fate.
- Senator Kennedy's amendment on election integrity, aimed at requiring proof of citizenship and identity for voting, is also unsuccessful.
- Senator Holly's amendment to restrict federal funding for transgender surgeries and treatments for minor children is similarly rejected.
- Senator Marky's amendment to lower electricity bills for American families fails to pass.
- Senator Paul's amendment to fund border security by cutting refugee welfare, foreign aid, and federal agencies is defeated.
- Senator Berkeley's amendment to restore home ownership by addressing private equity buying up homes is not approved.
- Senator Sanders' amendment to lower prescription drug costs by pegging them to prices in other countries fails.
- Senator Padilla's amendment to prevent funding for federal agencies with unobligated funds from previous bills is also rejected.
Amendment 4884: School Meal Funding vs. Immigration Enforcement [0:00]
Senator Hirono introduces amendment 4884, which seeks to prioritize funding for free school meals for children over allocating additional funds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). She argues that Republican budget resolutions propose significant funding increases for immigration enforcement while potentially underfunding essential programs for low-income students and students with disabilities. Hirono contends that ensuring children have nutritious food is a critical priority and urges her colleagues to support the amendment.
Point of Order and Waiver Vote on Amendment 4884 [1:37]
An opposing senator raises a point of order, arguing that amendment 4884 is not germane to the budget resolution and violates the Congressional Budget Act. Senator Hirono then moves to waive all applicable sections of the act to allow consideration of her amendment, requesting a roll call vote. The ensuing roll call vote involves each senator stating their position, with the clerk recording the votes. Ultimately, the motion to waive fails with 48 yays and 50 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 4956: Clean, Affordable Energy [20:05]
Senator Hickinlooper introduces amendment 4956, which aims to lower costs for Americans by investing in clean, affordable energy and other technologies without increasing the deficit. He criticizes the President's policies, claiming they have led to a cost-of-living crisis with rising mortgage rates, gas prices, electricity costs, and healthcare premiums. Hickinlooper argues that the amendment provides a path for Congress to address these issues and support working families.
Point of Order and Waiver Vote on Amendment 4956 [21:33]
A senator raises a point of order against amendment 4956, asserting that it is not germane to the budget resolution because it expands the scope of the resolution by adding a deficit-neutral reserve fund in the finance jurisdiction. Senator Hickinlooper moves to waive the point of order, leading to another roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 47 yays and 51 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 5294: Affordable Child Care [40:30]
Senator Alen Brooks introduces amendment 5294, addressing the high cost of child care and the challenges faced by working families. She highlights the rising costs of utilities, housing, groceries, healthcare, and gas, compounded by the high cost of child care in Maryland. Brooks criticizes the Trump administration for freezing child care funding and proposing cuts to preschool programs, arguing that these actions exacerbate the problem for working families.
Point of Order and Waiver Vote on Amendment 5294 [42:16]
An opposing senator raises a point of order, arguing that amendment 5294 is not germane to the underlying bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The senator suggests that the discussion should focus on funding ICE and Border Patrol. Senator Brooks moves to waive the point of order, resulting in a roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 47 yays and 51 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 5414: Election Integrity [1:06:51]
Senator Kennedy introduces amendment 5414, which instructs the Rules Committee to develop an elections bill. The bill would require proof of citizenship and identity for voting in federal elections and aim to revert to a single election day rather than an extended voting period. Kennedy argues that the amendment addresses concerns about election integrity and trusts the Rules Committee to craft a bill that fits within reconciliation guidelines.
Debate and Point of Order on Amendment 5414 [1:11:19]
An opposing senator argues that the amendment is a partisan attempt to address a non-existent problem, as existing law already requires citizenship to vote. She criticizes the proposal for potentially restricting early voting opportunities and imposing unrealistic deadlines for ballot counting. The senator raises a point of order, asserting that the amendment is not germane and violates the Congressional Budget Act.
Waiver Vote on Amendment 5414 and Failure [1:15:45]
Senator Kennedy moves to waive the point of order, leading to a roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 48 yays and 50 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 4794: Transgender Surgeries for Minors [1:35:46]
Senator Holly introduces amendment 4794, questioning whether federal tax dollars should be used to fund transgender surgeries and treatments for minor children. He argues that Medicaid funds, intended for the needy, are being misused by organizations like Planned Parenthood for these procedures.
Debate and Point of Order on Amendment 4794 [1:37:21]
An opposing senator argues that the amendment is an attempt to strip women of healthcare and score political points. She highlights the negative impact of defunding Planned Parenthood clinics, including clinic closures and reduced access to essential preventive care. The senator raises a point of order, asserting that the amendment is not germane.
Waiver Vote on Amendment 4794 and Failure [1:38:39]
Senator Holly moves to waive the point of order, leading to a roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 50 yays and 48 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 5001: Lower Electricity Bills [1:55:35]
Senator Marky introduces amendment 5001, aiming to lower electricity bills for American families. He criticizes Republican cuts to energy programs and argues that the budget should prioritize reducing electricity costs.
Debate and Point of Order on Amendment 5001 [1:57:30]
An opposing senator argues that government subsidies for non-dispatchable power increase the cost of electricity. He asserts that the amendment is not germane and violates the Congressional Budget Act.
Waiver Vote on Amendment 5001 and Failure [1:58:42]
Senator Matthews moves to waive the point of order, leading to a roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 48 yays and 50 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 5378: Funding Border Security [2:13:25]
Senator Paul introduces amendment 5378, proposing to fund border security by eliminating refugee welfare, cutting foreign aid, and reducing funding for the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education. He argues that these cuts are necessary to pay for border security and address the national debt.
Debate and Vote on Amendment 5378 and Failure [2:14:37]
An opposing senator argues that blindly slashing scientific research and education funding is misguided. The motion to waive fails with 24 yays and 74 nays.
Amendment 5235: Restore Home Ownership [2:33:53]
Senator Berkeley introduces amendment 5235, aiming to restore home ownership by addressing private equity buying up homes. He references President Trump's concern about individuals losing out to private equity in the housing market.
Debate and Vote on Amendment 5235 and Failure [2:35:26]
An opposing senator argues that the problem has already been solved and urges colleagues to vote against the amendment. The motion to waive fails with 46 yays and 52 nays.
Amendment 5159: Prescription Drug Costs [2:52:50]
Senator Sanders introduces amendment 5159, seeking to lower prescription drug costs by preventing pharmaceutical companies from charging more in the United States than in other countries like Canada, the UK, Germany, France, and Japan. He argues that Americans pay the highest prices for prescription drugs and that this amendment would cut costs by half.
Debate and Point of Order on Amendment 5159 [2:54:38]
An opposing senator raises a point of order, asserting that the amendment is not germane.
Waiver Vote on Amendment 5159 and Failure [2:55:22]
Senator Sanders moves to waive the point of order, leading to a roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 49 yays and 49 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
Amendment 4855: Unobligated Funds [3:13:51]
Senator Padilla introduces amendment 4855, which would create a point of order against reconciliation bills that provide funding for federal agencies with unobligated funds from previous bills. He notes that ICE and CBP still have a combined total of $103 billion in unspent funds.
Debate and Point of Order on Amendment 4855 [3:15:26]
An opposing senator argues that Republicans are committed to a safe and secure America and that Democrats want to defund law enforcement. The senator raises a point of order, asserting that the amendment is not germane.
Waiver Vote on Amendment 4855 and Failure [3:16:12]
Senator Padilla moves to waive the point of order, leading to a roll call vote. The motion to waive fails with 47 yays and 51 nays, the point of order is sustained, and the amendment fails.
