1. Now that we have a cloture vote, how long does the Senate have to debate? typically, the senate has 30 hours, however, if there are a lot of amendments that have been approved, it may take longer.
2. How many votes to we need from the Senate once debate has ended to get the S1300 moved to conference?
we will need 51 votes to pass the bill.
3. How long does it usually take to form the conference and who would it be comprised of?
Once the bill passes both houses, the leaders assign the conferees. Typically, the members of the major committees governing the bill are on the conference. So that would be the Transportation and Inferstructure committee in the house and the Commerace, Science and Technology committee in the Senate. Now, since this bill also includes a funding mechanism, there will be a presence from the House Ways and Means committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
4. Is there a time limit on the conference and if not, historicly how long does it take for something like this to make it out of conference?
There is not usually a time limit and the length of time typically depends on how different the bills are.
5. Once they have hammered out the details in conference is there a requirement for the bill to be voted on by the House and Senate in a timely manner?
Not certain if there is a time limit, but usually there is time for debate in both chambers and then a straight up or down vote. There can be no amendments offered to a conference report and the Senate can not filibuster it. If it fails to get enough votes to pass, the chamber sends it back to committee with instructions to their members as to what needs to be fixed to guarantee passage.
6. Could the final bill be veto-proof? (2/3rd's right?)
It can be considered veto-proof if a signaficant number more than 2/3rds in both chambers vote in favor. However, it would not be the first time a Presidnet has vetoed a bill that had a veto-proof majority. If he does veto it, he will gamble that he will be able to sway the votes of enough republicans to guarantee less than 2/3rd in favor.
7. If not and the bill is vetoed, what happens then? Does the FAA stop operating the next day? How would this look to the public if the President did this?
If the bill gets vetoed, both houses would need to pass an emergency authorization to keep the faa solvant. If they don't do it, the trust funds stops collecting revenues but we would keep working because we have an appropriations bill covering our costs. At least I think we do and are not part of the cr.
8. If it passes with favorable language, how long would it take to implement the changes for us?
Depends on a couple of things. Does the President drag his feet in signing the bill, or if vetoed, how long does it take to over ride the veto. Also, how long does it take the GSA and others to realize what all is contained in the law.