Friday, October 5, 2007: Senate Adjourns for October Recess; Back on Oct. 15

Today, the Senate convened at 9:30 for a pro forma session. According to the Senate glossary, a pro forma session is a brief meeting (sometimes only several seconds) in which no business is conducted. It is held usually to satisfy the constitutional obligation that neither chamber can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other.

The Senate will then stand in adjournment until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15.

At 2:00 p.m. on Monday, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3:00 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, and with the time equally divided and controlled between the Majority and Minority. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 3093, the Department of Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act. The first vote is expected to occur around 5:30 p.m.

During the week of October 15, the Senate is expected to complete consideration of H.R. 3093 and may turn to the consideration of H.R. 3043, the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Act, and any other items cleared for action.