Floor Update: Senate begins consideration of H.J.Res.61, Iran; McConnell offers substitute amendment; McConnell/Reid unanimous consent requests; 5:30pm nomination vote

Following Leader remarks, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of H.J.Res.61. Senator McConnell offered substitute amendment #2640, related to Congressional disapproval of the proposed Iran nuclear agreement, and then filled the amendment tree with date change amendments.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that, with the exception of the McConnell substitute amendment, the pending amendments be withdrawn; that no other amendments, points of order or motions be in order to the joint resolution or McConnell substitute prior to the vote on the McConnell substitute; that at 5:30pm, on Thursday, September 10^th, the Senate proceed to vote on the McConnell substitute amendment; that the amendment be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; further, if the McConnell amendment is agreed to, H.J.Res.61, as amended, be read a third time and passed; that the time today until 5pm be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that following Leader remarks on Wednesday, September 9^th, until 6pm, the time be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; and that following Leader remarks on Thursday, September 10^th, until 5:30pm, the time be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees.

Senator McConnell objected.

Senator McConnell then asked unanimous consent that on Thursday, September 10^th at 3:00pm, the substitute amendment to H.J.Res.61 be agreed to, the joint resolution as amended be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the resolution as amended.

Senator Reid objected.

Senator McConnell then asked unanimous consent that if cloture is invoked on the substitute amendment to H.J.Res.61, the amendment be agreed to, the joint resolution as amended be read a third time and there be 4 hours of debate equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on passage of the resolution as amended.

Senator Reid objected. An unofficial transcript of the exchange is included below.

Today, at 5:00pm, the Senate will enter Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #82, Roseann Ketchmark to be US District Judge for the Western District of Missouri, with 30 minutes equally divided prior to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination.