[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 12 (Thursday, January 28, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S317-S318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BUDGET RECONCILIATION

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I rise to make a 
parliamentary inquiry regarding the applicability of the Senate's 
cloture rules to the budget reconciliation process. Under the 
Congressional Budget Act which governs Senate procedure for 
consideration of a reconciliation conference report, the question is: 
Is a cloture vote necessary prior to a vote on adoption of the 
conference report?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. No.

[[Page S318]]

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, another question. Under the 
Budget Act, which limits the time for debate of a reconciliation 
conference report, how many hours are provided for debate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Ten hours.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Thank you. And finally, therefore, under no 
circumstances would a cloture vote be necessary or required prior to a 
vote on adoption of a reconciliation conference report?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware is recognized.
  Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for up to 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________