Food Safety Votes Update
Just to recap where we are after this evening’s votes:
- Cloture was invoked on the Harkin substitute #4715 to the food safety bill (S. 510) on a 69-26 vote;
- The Johanns motion to suspend in respect of amendment #4702, regarding the 1099 paperwork mandate, failed on a 61-35 vote (a 2/3rds vote was needed for passage); and
- The Baucus motion to suspend in respect of amendment #4713, regarding the 1099 paperwork mandate, failed on a 44-53 vote (a 2/3rds vote was needed for passage).
As a reminder, debate on amendments to the food safety bill will continue this evening. Tomorrow morning, beginning at 9:00 AM, the Senate will move to consider two additional motions to suspend the rules regarding amendments:
- Coburn substitute amendment #4696; and
- Coburn amendment #4697, regarding earmarks.
Following votes on the two motions tomorrow morning, the Senate will move to vote on passage of the food safety bill, meaning the Senate will have a total of three stacked votes beginning just after 9:00 AM tomorrow. As a reminder, the motions to suspend will be subject to a 2/3rds majority to allow for consideration of the amendment. If any motion to suspend is agreed to, the underlying amendment will be subject to a majority for adoption.