Objections to Cruz requests to pass mini CR bills/Democratic counteroffer to pass clean CR for the entire government

Senator Cruz came to the floor today and asked unanimous consent to take up and pass the same 4 joint resolutions and bill that Republicans asked to pass yesterday. For each request, a Democratic senator asked consent to pass a clean continuing resolution to fund the entire government. Senator Cruz objected to modify his requests and there was an objection to the original requests.

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.72, making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014. Senator Murray asked that the request be modified to include a clean CR, Senator Cruz objected, and Senator Murray objected to the original request.

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent that when the Senate receives H.R.3230, the Senate take up and pass and H.R.3230, making continuing appropriations during a Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve component of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period. Senator Durbin asked that the request be modified to include a clean CR, Senator Cruz objected, and Senator Durbin objected to the original request.

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.70, making continuing appropriations for National Park operations, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for fiscal year 2014. Senator Schumer asked that the request be modified to include a clean CR, Senator Cruz objected, and Senator Schumer objected to the original request.

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.73, making continuing appropriations for the National Institute of Health for fiscal year 2014. Senator Reid asked that the request be modified to include a clean CR, Senator Cruz objected, and Senator Reid objected to the original request.

Democratic Counteroffer

I ask consent that the request be modified as follows:

That an amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, then be read a third time and passed; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.  This amendment is the text that passed the Senate and is a clean continuing resolution for the entire government and is something that is already over in the House and reportedly has the support of a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives.