Kansas Common Sense: Senate Legislative Activities

Statement

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a two-year, highway bill (S.1813) with the support of 74 senators. The passage of the bill was preceded by a day of voting on Tuesday, with ten amendments voted on by the Senate. A range of issues were debated, including the federal government's role in surface transportation activities, tolling, energy tax credits, and state recoupment of gas taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund. I was pleased that a long-term solution was reached, and I voted in favor of supporting highway infrastructure and construction jobs. The House now has the option of considering the Senate-passed bill.

Also, the Senate came to an agreement to move forward on 17 judicial confirmation votes. Senate Majority Leader Reid had attempted earlier in the week to rush these judges through the confirmation process. Instead, both sides have agreed to consider nominations, including District Court and Appeals Court judges, between now and May 7th. Two District Court judges were approved by the full Senate on Friday, under the new agreement.

As part of the agreement on judges, next week the Senate will move to the House-passed JOBS bill which would make it easier for new businesses to raise capital, create a phase-in period for small and growing companies to comply with burdensome government regulations, and update securities laws written in the 1930s to reflect the 21st Century marketplace which will help expand access to capital for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

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