The Senate voted on various spending measures. A cloture vote on Department of Defense appropriations, as well as a parliamentary challenges to various legislation, were considered the morning.

Vice President Cheney, as president of the Senate, took the chair to break a 50-50 tie vote to pass the Budget Reconciliation Bill.

A cloture motion on Defense appropriations legislation that included an amendment allowing expanded Arctic oil exploration failed to gain the required 60 votes to limit debate. The vote was 56 to 44.

The Senate also agreed to extend the Patriot Act for a six month period.

8:59AM - 12:13AM ETSenate Session