S E N A T U S

Here are some stories being reported on your United States Senate and its members today.

General News

• Farm Bill Agreement Reached - Farm Bill negotiators say they have reached a tentative compromise agreement which will be offered up for a vote by the House and Senate next week. CongressDaily reports that, although the President does not support the bill, he may allow it to become law by not taking any action. Per the Constitution, if the President takes no action (a signature or a veto) on a bill within ten legislative days then it becomes law.
• Senate Marks Up Supplemental Bill - The Senate Appropriations Committee is set to mark up a war supplemental bill that would provide funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the rest of 2008 and part of 2009. The Senate bill’s price tag is reportedly around $165 billion. Although the cost is lower than that of the House version, it is still well above the President’s request of $108 billion which may lead to a veto threat. Domestic spending is also expected to be added to the bill.
• FEC Stalemate May Continue - The Crypt reports that Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) may continue the on-going stalemate over nominees needed to fill an inadequately-functioning Federal Election Commission. He is protesting Democrats’ refusal to vote on the nominees in one bundled vote. They are requiring separate votes on each nominee mainly in protest of a controversial nomination to the board, Hans von Spakovsky, which they will likely not support.
• Senate Passes Myanmar Resolution - Last night, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling on the military-based leadership in Myanmar to immediately lift a ban on foreign aid into the country. Death toll estimates have risen to 100,000 after a devastating cyclone hit the area.  

Election News

• Clinton Supporters in Congress Question Strategy - Supporters of Senator Clinton (D-NY) and undecided superdelegates in Congress are beginning to quietly move away from her and question her strategy on how to move forward and still pull out a victory. A notable supporter in the Senate, Senator Feinstein (D-CA), said she wanted to discuss strategy with Senator Clinton while mentioning that the campaign was nearing a point where a prolonged process may harm the party.
• Life After the Campaign - The Hill continues with the theme over the past few days that the Democratic nomination process for president is essentially over by documenting what life in the Senate might look like for Senator Clinton after ending her campaign.
• Congress Buzzing Over Obama Visit - News reports went crazy earlier this morning with the news that Senator Obama (D-IL) paid a visit to the House floor today to mingle with both Democratic and Republican members.  He also reportedly signed autographs and even took a picture.