It is hard to believe, it was one month ago today that President Trump was sworn into office - it has been a whirlwind of activity in the White House, in Congress, and in every federal agency. 
 

This week, the Senate confirmed three more great nominations: Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce, Kelly Loeffler for Administrator of the Small Business Administration and Kash Patel as the Director of the FBI.  In support of President Trump and to advance the agenda the American people voted for last November, your Republican Senate has confirmed more Cabinet nominees in the first four weeks than any Senate in more than 20 years. 
 

But today the Senate will pause nominations for a day to take the first procedural step to get more money to the border and national security with a “Vote-A-Rama.”  It’s a fun name, but it’s no amusement park ride. 
 

Since Republicans control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, we are planning to use a rarely used legislative authority called “reconciliation.” It is one of the few times that the Senate can pass major legislation, without 60 votes. But, there are a couple of complications. Under the law, reconciliation can only be used for tax and certain types of spending, no major policy changes.  Reconciliation also requires a time for unlimited amendments before the real legislative work can begin, better known in D.C. as a Vote-A-Rama. Last time we had a Vote-A-Rama, the Senate voted continuously from 8:00pm until 3:30pm the next day. 
 

None of the votes during a Vote-A-Rama actually become law, they are just resolutions to attack whichever party is in the majority.  Starting this evening, Senate Democrats will bring up hours of meaningless amendments until everyone gets tired of voting, then Republicans will pass the final motion to start the real budget work. It’s a long vote series about nothing, except it is required in the law if we use reconciliation. The reward will be the ability to use reconciliation to increase our border and national security.
 

Be prepared to hear horror stories in the next 24 hours about crazy amendment votes the Democrats dreamed up to try to embarrass Republicans and President Trump.  It’s noisy, meaningless, and exhausting, but it’s the only way to move President Trump’s agenda as soon as possible.  So, grab your popcorn and tune into C-SPAN to watch the show - or better yet, go to bed and read about it Friday. 
 

After the legally required Vote-A-Rama, we will get back to the real work of closing the border, advancing American energy, and equipping our military for the next century. 
 

Keep praying for us in DC. Despite the noise, a lot of important work is getting done and we’ve got a lot more to do in the days ahead. 
 

In God We Trust,

James Lankford
U.S. Senator for Oklahoma