Senate budget amendments pass in "vote-a-rama"

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March 27, 2015

On March 27, the Senate voted on a budget resolution for fiscal year (FY) 2016 (S.Con.Res.11).  As part of this process, senators voted on many non-binding, germane amendments in a "vote-a-rama," where each amendment is considered separately.  Due to the high number of amendments brought forward, voting lasted for 15 hours. These votes allow senators to test support and priorities for future legislation.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) received approval for her amendment, S.Amdt.838, which encourages sale or transfer of federal lands that are not parks, monuments, or preserves to state and local government to allow for greater development. Any proposed land transfer would still have to be approved by Congress. Another amendment put forward by Senator Murkowski, S.Amdt.770, would support increasing the fleet of U.S. ice breakers – vessels that are able to withstand polar waters and maintain shipping channels through ice. This amendment passed as well.

Senator Wyden’s (D-OR) amendment, S.Amdt.434, to provide for adjustment to committee allocations for wildfire suppression funding passed.

Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D-RI) amendment, S.Amdt.1014, to address climate change through clean energy, energy efficiency, and carbon reductions also passed.

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) replaced his amendment preventing a carbon tax, which was not considered germane, with an amendment to prevent an energy tax (Amdt.928), which passed.  

Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D-WA) amendment, Amdt.1002, supporting the upcoming National Parks Service Centennial passed as well.

Sources: Congress, E&E News