Budget Resolution, S.Con.Res.3

By a vote of 51-48, the Senate adopted the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.Con.Res.3, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2018 through 2026.

Under the law governing the Budget's consideration, there is now up to 50 hours for debate equally divided on the concurrent resolution. Each first degree amendment is subject to 2 hours for debate equally divided and second degree amendments are subject to 1 hour for debate equally divided. Votes on amendments are possible each day. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will dispose of any pending amendments. There is no limit to the number of amendments that can be offered at the end of the debate time and before a vote on adoption of the concurrent resolution. As a result, there will be a number of roll call votes at the end of that time. We expect to begin the so-called "vote-a-rama" next week. We will send messages as information becomes available on the amendments that will receive roll call votes.

Use of calculators on floor and tablets by managers at the managers' desks only

Also by consent, for the duration of the Senate's consideration of S.Con.Res.3, the Majority and Democratic managers of the bill while seated or standing at the managers' desk will be permitted to deliver floor remarks, retrieve and edit documents, and send email and other data communications from text displayed on wireless personal digital assistant devices and tablet devices. The Use of calculators will be permitted on the floor during consideration of the budget resolution. This agreement does not alter the existing traditions that prohibit the use of such devices in the Chamber by Senators in general, officers and staff. It does not allow the use of videos or pictures, the transmitting of sound, even through earpieces, for any purposes, the use of telephones or other devices for voice communications, any laptop computers, any detachable keyboards, the use of desktop computers or any other larger devices.