JUSTICE — FINANCIAL REGULATION BILL CONTAINS MEASURE TO ADDRESS ‘CONFLICT MINERALS’: Congressional negotiators reached a deal on Friday to reconcile the House and Senate versions of financial regulatory reform. The bill contains an obscure provision “that requires any publicly traded company that uses certain minerals to file reports annually with the Securities and Exchange Commission certifying whether the minerals originated in Congo or neighboring countries.” Many of the minerals used in electronic devices like cell phones and computers are mined in the Congo, a country “plagued by regional conflict and a deadly scramble for its vast natural resources.” The mineral sales finance “multiple armed groups, many of whom use mass rape as a deliberate strategy to intimidate and control local populations.” The provision in the financial regulation bill is designed to, according to its sponsor, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), “brings accountability and transparency to the supply chain of minerals used in the manufacturing of many electronic devices.” The Center for American Progress’ Enough Project — an organization “helping to build a permanent constituency to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity” — advocated for the inclusion of this provision. Though industry lobbyists complained about the cost, Enough’s Jenny Russell pointed out that “tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain.” Reacting to the provision’s passage, Enough’s John Prendergast said, “A year ago most members of Congress hadn’t even heard of conflict minerals.” Now, “in the middle of a turbulent legislative calendar, activists all over the country were heard loudly and clearly.” Private institutions are also joining the effort. Stanford University’s trustees recently considered a resolution “to create a new proxy voting guideline” that would “support shareholders’ efforts to make companies trace the supply chain of the minerals used in their products.” If the guideline is adopted, “it would be the first university in the country to take such action on the issue.”
Daily Archives: 06/28/2010
Monday in Congress -timeline of debates &or votes 6/28/2010
Updates as needed throughout the day
Following morning business on Tuesday 6/29/2010, the Senate will resume the motion to proceed to HR5297, the Small Business Jobs bill.
The Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET June 28, 2010
Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 5:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Gary Feinerman, of Illinois, to be United States District judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Debate until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions or their designees.
There will be no further roll call votes tonight.
Votes:
201: Confirmation of the nomination of Gary Feinerman, of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois;
Confirmed: 80-0
Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.567, electing Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore.
Adopted s.Res. 568, Notifying the House of Representatives of the election of Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore.
Adopted S.Res.569, Notifying the President of the election of Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore.
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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET June 28, 2010
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 28, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
6:11 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:07 P.M. –
Mr. Boozman requested the following general leaves to address the House on July 2: Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, and Mr. McHenry for 5 min.
Mr. Boozman requested that Mr. McHenry be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on July 1.
Mr. Boozman requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 30: Mr. McHenry for 5 min.
Mr. Boozman requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 29: Mr. Forbes for 5 min and Mr. McHenry for 5 min.
6:06 P.M. –
The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 28, 2010 at 5:50 p.m: That the Senate agreed to S. Res. 568.
Mr. Obey asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Monday, June 28, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 28.
3:22 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 28, 2010, at 9:26 a.m. stating that that body had passed S. 3104.
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 151 North Maitland Avenue in Maitland, Florida, as the “Paula Hawkins Post Office Building”
3:21 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
3:05 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5395.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
to transfer statutory entitlements to pay and hours of work authorized by the District of Columbia Code for current members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division from the District of Columbia Code to the United States Code
3:04 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:49 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1510.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship
2:48 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2:39 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1439.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
to direct the Mayor of the District of Columbia to establish a District of Columbia National Guard Educational Assistance Program to encourage the enlistment and retention of persons in the District of Columbia National Guard by providing financial assistance to enable members of the National Guard of the District of Columbia to attend undergraduate, vocational, or technical courses
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:30 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3913.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
recognizing the work and importance of special education teachers
2:28 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2:22 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 284.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
recognizing the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for its now five-year effort to promote cyber security curriculum in institutions of higher learning
2:21 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2:12 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1244.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
2:10 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
2:02 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:01 P.M. –
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC 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.
2:00 P.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 28.
12:31 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:30 P.M. –
The Speaker designated the Honorable Donna F. Edwards to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
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