US senators eager to head home for the congressional recess on Friday launched what could become a legislative all-nighter -- a rare, free-wheeling session known as a "vote-a-rama." For the first time in four years, the 100 members of the Senate will pack the chamber for 10 hours or more, beginning at 3:00 pm Friday, for dozens of back-to-back votes on amendments to the Senate's pending budget resolution.

US Attorney General Eric Holder made clear on Thursday that a president does not have the power to order a drone strike against a "non combatant" American inside the United States. Holder's clarifying comment came in a short letter to Senator Rand Paul, who launched a 13-hour, non-stop filibuster in the Senate demanding answers from the administration on the scope of drone policy. "It has come to my attention that you have now asked an additional question," Holder said, offering extra information not included in a previous letter sent on Tuesday.

A Republican senator seeking to block President Barack Obama's pick to lead the CIA over concerns about drone strikes on US soil completed a nearly 13-hour speaking filibuster early Thursday. In a remarkable display highlighting the partisan rift in Washington, Rand Paul led the filibuster of John Brennan's appointment after the White House refused to unequivocally rule out drone strikes on US soil.

* Final vote on Brennan expected no sooner than Thursday * Several Republicans, one Democrat, joined filibuster * Last "talking filibuster" was in 2010 (Updates with filibuster ending) By Patricia Zengerle and Mark Hosenball