Congress debates and votes … Thursday


The Senate Convenes: 9:30am Resume consideration of S.3217, Wall Street Reform.

The following amendments are pending to S.3217:
– Dodd-Lincoln amendment #3739 (Substitute)
– Brownback #3789, as modified (auto dealer exemption)
– Snowe #3883 (small business regulation transparency)
– Specter #3776, as modified (Aiders & Abettors)
– Leahy #3823 (health insurance antitrust enforcement)
– Durbin #3989, as modified (interchange fee)
– Wyden #4019 (secret holds)
– Thune #3987 (sunset of Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection)
DeMint #3852 (Border Fence)
Rockefeller #3758 (FTC)

The Senate will recess from 1pm-2pm.
The Senate has reached the following unanimous consent agreement.

Votes:
146: Franken amendment #3991: (credit ratings);
Agreed To: 64-35

147: LeMieux amendment #3774: , as modified, and as a side –by-side to the Franken #3991 (credit ratings);
Agreed To: 61-38

148: Sessions amendment #3832: (bankruptcy);
Not Agreed To: 42-58.

149: Durbin #3989, as modified (interchange fee);
Agreed To: 64-33

150: Thune #3987 (sunset of Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection);
Not Agreed To: 40-55

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S. Res.524, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Stuttering Awareness Week of 2010.

– Collins amendment #3879 (leverage and risk-based capital) was agreed to by unanimous consent.

Passed Cal. #296, H.R.714-Virgin Islands National park lease

Passed S.1132 is the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act.

Passed S.2768, National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2009(with Dorgan-Rockefeller substitute amendment)

Adopted S.Res525, is a resolution expressing sympathy to the families of those killed in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 13, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

4:25 P.M. –
On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on May 14, 2010.

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

2:25 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

2:24 P.M. –
APPOINTMENTS – Pursuant to Section 301 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995( 2 U.S.C. 1381), as amended by Public Law 111-114, the Chair announces on behalf of the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate their joint reappointment of the following individuals on May 13, 2010, each to a 5-year term on the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance: Joint Appointment: Roberta L. Holzwarth, Illinois and Barbara L. Camens, Washington, D.C., Chair.

2:01 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

2:00 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on May 20: himself for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on May 19: Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on May 18: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min.

1:51 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded further with one minute speeches.

1:45 P.M. –
Ms. Sutton asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, May 14, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

1:44 P.M. –
Ms. Sutton asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11:30 a.m. on May 14. Agreed to without objection.

1:13 P.M. –
Mr. Hoyer asked unanimous consent That it may be in order at any time on Thursday, May 20, 2010, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His Excellency Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, President of the United Mexican States. Agreed to without objection. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

HIT Policy Committee – Pursuant to section 13101 of the Hitch Act (P.L. 111-5), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair reappointed Mr. Paul Egerman, Weston, Massachusetts for a term of three years .

H. Res. 1337:

expressing the sympathy and condolences of the House of Representatives to those people affected by the flooding in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi in May, 2010

1:11 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 0 (Roll no. 272).

H. Res. 1338:

recognizing the significant accomplishments of AmeriCorps and encouraging all citizens to join in a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service

1:04 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 1337:

expressing the sympathy and condolences of the House of Representatives to those people affected by the flooding in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi in May, 2010

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1338:

recognizing the significant accomplishments of AmeriCorps and encouraging all citizens to join in a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 280 – 128 (Roll no. 271).

12:57 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

12:56 P.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoptions of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, further proceedings on H.R. 5116 are postponed. On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by recorded vote: 292 – 126 (Roll no. 270).

12:24 P.M. –
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

12:11 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hall (TX) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments to strike various provisions in the bill and insert additional sections.

12:04 P.M. –
Mr. Hall (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Science and Technology.

12:03 P.M. –
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

12:02 P.M. –
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5116.

12:01 P.M. –
On agreeing to the Flake amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 419 – 0 (Roll no. 269).

11:53 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Halvorson amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 419 – 0 (Roll no. 268).

11:44 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Boccieri amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 248 – 171 (Roll no. 267).

11:16 A.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

11:15 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Gordon (TN) amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

10:49 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Gordon (TN) amendments en bloc. Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Gordon (TN).

An amendment offered en bloc consisting of amendments numbered 2, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 40, 41, 53, 54, and 45 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479.

10:48 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Schock amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:43 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on Schock amendment number 52. Amendment offered by Mr. Schock.

An amendment numbered 52 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479 to instruct the Secretary of Commerce to give priority to innovation clusters that partner with local Workforce Investment Area Boards.

10:42 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Salazar amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:37 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on Salazar amendment number 51. Amendment offered by Mr. Salazar.

An amendment numbered 51 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479 to provide Department of Energy with the authority to conduct training for energy auditors, field technicians, and building contractors so they can understand and promote the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology.

10:36 A.M. –
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment number 50, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

10:32 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment number 50. Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment numbered 50 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479 to express the sense of Congress that retaining graduate-level talent trained at American universities in STEM fields is critical to enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses.

10:31 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Kratovil amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:26 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kratovil amendment number 44. Amendment offered by Mr. Kratovil.

An amendment numbered 44 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479 to encourage employees of Federal agencies to volunteer in STEM education activities.

10:25 A.M. –
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Halvorson amendment number 38, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Halvorson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

10:19 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Halvorson amendment number 38. Amendment offered by Mrs. Halvorson.

An amendment numbered 38 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479 to require the Director of the National Science Foundation to give consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of veterans in the postdoctoral research fellowship program established by section 246 (Postdoctoral research fellowships).

On agreeing to the Chu amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:15 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Chu amendment number 36. Amendment offered by Ms. Chu.

An amendment numbered 36 printed in Part B of House Report 111-479 to clarify that one purpose of the Innovation through Institutional Integration grant program is to help under-represented students in STEM fields transition from 2-year institutions to 4-year institutions of higher education.

10:13 A.M. –
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration. Considered as unfinished business.

10:02 A.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Heinrich to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:01 A.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

10:00 A.M. –
The Speaker designated the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Oklahoma Is At It Again: State Legislature Passes Bill Stripping Abortion Coverage From Health Insurance


by Amanda Terkel

As ThinkProgress has reported, many far-right members of the Oklahoma legislature have made denying women rights a full-time mission. What the legislature has done in recent weeks:

– Both the House and the Senate passed a law mandating the collection of personal details about every single abortion performed in the state, which will then be posted on a public website.

– The legislature overrode the governor’s veto of an ultrasound mandate, which requires that doctor’s show women seeking an abortion ultrasounds of their babies and “describe the size of the fetus and any viewable organs and limbs. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.” The law also “limits who can do the ultrasound and which technology can be used — issues lawmakers are ill-equipped to decide.”

– The legislature also overrode the governor’s veto of a measure to prevent women from filing “wrongful life” lawsuits against “doctors who withhold information about a fetus or pregnancy that could cause a woman to seek an abortion.”

Yesterday, the Oklahoma House was at it again, this time passing a bill (HB 3290) by a 70-21 vote to bar private insurance companies from covering abortion. From the legislation:

No health plan, including health insurance contracts, plans or policies, offered outside of the state Exchange, but within the state, shall provide coverage for elective abortions except by optional separate supplemental coverage for abortion for which there must be paid a separate premium in accordance with subsection D of this act.

The bill does provide “exceptions in cases of rape and incest or to prevent the death of the mother.” Rep. Skye McNiel (R), the author of the legislation, said that it was simply meant to “ban state insurance exchanges created under the recently signed federal health care legislation from covering abortion procedures.” However, several legislators — including a Republican Rep. Doug Cox, who is also a doctor — spoke out against what the House was doing:

“This bill is nothing but pure politics so people can go home and stand up and beat their chests and say, ‘I voted against abortion of any type,’” Cox said. “You’re going to be trampling on some people who are good Christian people who are against abortion, but when it comes to one of these sad, terribly sad, freaks of nature that happen, you’re going to be punishing those good Christian people who are against abortion except in these cases.”

As CAP’s Jessica Arons has pointed out, making women purchase a separate abortion “rider” — as this legislation does — is discriminatory and requires women “to plan for a completely unexpected event.” Similarly, Rep. Jeannie McDaniel (D), who also voted against the bill, read a letter from a doctor who said that it’s unfair to require women to purchase special abortion coverage in advance because “a medically necessary termination of pregnancy is something that no family plans for or anticipates.” According to Cox, paying for abortion without insurance could cost a woman $10,000.

Oklahoma joins other states such as Arizona, Mississippi, and Tennessee in prohibiting insurers from offering abortion coverage in state exchanges, even if it’s paid for with private dollars.

State Sen. Steve Russell (R) recently tried to justify the abortion-reporting bill by saying, “This is not about women. It is about children in the womb deserving a life that got created.” The fact that lawmakers like Russell are leaving women’s interests out of the equation underscores the problem of what’s going on in Oklahoma.

Call on Congress to Reject Rate Hikes


Today, Health Care for America Now released a report1 on insurance company profits and the results are stunning.  In the first quarter of 2010 the profits of the five biggest insurers increased at record levels while they covered less people and spent less on care.  That’s why we need to give the federal and state governments more power to reject and modify rate hikes.

Health Care champions Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) have introduced legislation2 that will build upon the landmark health care law that was passed in March and give the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority to end unjust premium increases.

Click here to call your Member of Congress and tell them you support this legislation that would make health care more affordable for businesses and families.

The Insurance Company’s recent behavior3 has shown they will do and say anything to keep their bloated CEO pay and inflated profits by denying our care and jacking up our rates.   We need to give regulators the power and resources to check the insurance companies and stop business as usual.

Click here and call your Member of Congress and tell them you support giving regulators more authority to bring the insurance companies under control and stop outrageous rate increases.

In Solidarity,

Melinda Gibson
Health Care for America Now

Dead dolphins wash up on the Gulf Coast. by Amanda Terkel


As ThinkProgress has documented, the BP oil spill off of Louisiana’s coast threatens more than 400 species, with the potential “devastation beyond human comprehension.” Already, brown pelicans, sea turtles, and various types of fish have turned up dead. Now, the National Marine Fisheries Service is reporting that six dolphin carcasses have also been found in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama since May 2. The AP reports that officials are reporting the deaths as “oil spill-related even though other factors may be to blame.” Watch a video taken by NRDC staff of dolphins swimming in water with oil dispersants:

ThinkProgress.org


UNDER THE RADAR

ECONOMY — DESPITE MILITARY OPPOSITION, BROWNBACK CONTINUES PUSH TO EXEMPT AUTO DEALERS FROM NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) has offered up an amendment to the Senate financial reform legislation that would protect auto dealers’ ability to engage in unscrupulous lending practices. The move, which mirrors an amendment included in the House version of the legislation, prompted an interjection from President Obama, who blasted Brownback’s amendment, saying it would allow auto dealer-lenders to “inflate rates, insert hidden fees into the fine print of paperwork, and include expensive add-ons that catch purchasers by surprise.” “The fact is, auto dealer-lenders make nearly 80 percent of the automobile loans in our country, and these lenders should be subject to the same standards as any local or community bank that provides loans,” said Obama. The President also singled out the harm the amendment could cause military families, who are often targets of these deceptive practices. In February, the Defense Department in February weighed in on the auto dealer-lender exemption, hailing the “intervention of the CFPA in overseeing auto financing and sales” in protecting U.S. servicemembers and “reducing the concerns they have over their financial well-being.” Yesterday, Secretary of the Army John McHugh wrote a letter to Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) expressing his “strong concerns” about the Brownback amendment. Research by the Cambridge Winter Center for Financial Institutions Policy has found that “auto finance is demonstrably susceptible to unfair and deceptive practices” — including mark ups and a host of fees — “and those practices are demonstrably not held in check by private market forces alone.”  In fact, The New York Times this week detailed one instance of a dealer exploiting a member of the military by demanding more fees after a purchase was already completed, while physically blocking his car to that the soldier could not leave until he agreed to pay.