C-Span Update--Timber Payments Amendment

Hey folks--Ron Wyden's people have alerted us that the amendment to the Iraq Supplemental appropriation, to cover rural county timber payments on a decreasing scale until 2012, is scheduled to be up for debate now on the Senate floor. Catch the action live on C-SPAN-2, as soon as they get back in session.

Here's the release from Wyden's office about the deal:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, joined by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and others, will offer a multi-year proposal to restore funding for county payments as an amendment to the 2007 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill tomorrow [Tuesday].


The Wyden-Reid-Baucus-Bingaman amendment, which was announced last week, includes about $5 billion for rural schools, counties and communities through 2012. More details on the amendment, including details on the funding mechanism, will be available tomorrow. The Senators also hope to announce bipartisan cosponsors at that time.

11:25--Wyden is speaking on the amendment now, filling time until protocol allows him to introduce the bill formally...