Today in Washington D. C. - Nov18, 2008

The Senate is not in session today and will reconvene at 9:30 AM on Wednesday.

However, Senate Republicans met this morning to elect the following leadership team for the upcoming 111th Congress:

Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY) - Republican Leader

Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ) - Republican Whip.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) - Republican Conference Chair.

Sen. John Ensign (NV) - Republican Policy Chair

Sen. John Thune (SD) - Republican Conference Vice Chair.

Sen. John Cornyn (TX) - National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair

From Senate & News Sources: According to Roll Call, “Because of Senate rules, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is temporarily shutting down the chamber to bypass floor time so that the stimulus bill can be taken up when the Senate reopens Wednesday morning.”

Republicans and Democrats instead each met to hold their leadership elections.

Yesterday, Reid began the process of bringing up four bills that could be brought to a vote later this week: the House-passed unemployment insurance extension bill (H.R. 6867), the House-passed “stimulus” bill, which includes unemployment insurance (H.R. 7110), a bailout for domestic auto manufacturers and unemployment insurance (S. 3688), and large package containing the stimulus bill and auto bailout (S. 3689). It is likely only one of these will be voted on, if any.

The House is expected to reconvene on Wednesday, but it’s not clear if any new legislation will be offered.

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Tags: 111th Congress, GOP, leadership team, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C., Democrat, unemployment insurance extension bill, auto bailout, stimulus bill To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!