The Senate Convened at 9:30amET July 27, 2011

• The Senate will convene at 9:30am on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
• Morning business has been extended until 2pm.

VOTES

4:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Robert Mueller to be Director of the FBI; confirmed: 100-0

By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed Gary Locke, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of China.

Senator Rockefeller asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2533 with a Rockefeller-Hutchison amendment, which is at the desk and is a clean extension of the Federal Aviation Administration. Senator Hatch objected to Senator Rockefeller’s request.

Senator Hatch then asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2533, as passed by the House, which includes policy riders. Senator Rockefeller objected to Senator Hatch’s request.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 6:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Coburn will be recognized at 5:30pm for up to 30 minutes and Senator Boxer will be recognized following Senator Coburn for up to 20 minutes

WRAP UP

Confirmed Executive Calendar #194, Gary Locke, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of China.

Confirmed Executive Calendar #196, William J. Burns to be Deputy Secretary of State

Discharged Homeland Security and Passed S.1188, a bill to require the purchase of domestically made flags of the United States of American for use by the Federal Government (All American Flag Act) w/ Brown (OH) substitute

Adopted S.Res.240, condemning the horrific attacks on government buildings in Oslo, Norway, and a youth camp on Utoya Island, Norway, on July 22, 2011 and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Con.Res.26, supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of the year of 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent.

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  CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 27, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

H.R. 2584:

making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

9:57 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

9:56 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Walberg amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:16 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

9:15 P.M. – Mr. Dreier filed a report from the Committee on Rules onH. Res. 375.

H.R. 2584:

making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

9:14 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leavingH.R. 2584as unfinished business.On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Simpson moved that the Committee rise.

8:55 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Walberg amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Walberg.

An amendment to reduce funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, grants and administration by $10,600,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

8:53 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:39 P.M. – DEBATE – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to decrease Smithsonian salaries and expenses by $55,624,000 and transfer the funds to the spending reduction account.

8:38 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lankford amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lankford demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:19 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lankford amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Lankford.

An amendment to eliminate funding for reception and representation expenses for the Council on Environmental Quality. The amendment transfers the funds, $3 million, to the spending reduction account.

8:14 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:06 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.

An amendment to increase the National Forest System/Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program by $10 million.

On agreeing to the Hanabusa amendment Failed by voice vote.

7:59 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hanabusa amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Hanabusa.

An amendment to redirect $50,000,000 from the state and private forestry to the Wildland Fire Management program.

On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

7:58 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 18 under the five-minute rule.

7:57 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment to decrease FS State and Private Forestry by $20.8 million.

7:53 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lankford amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lankford demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:49 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lankford amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Lankford.

An amendment to strike “not less that 30 percent” and insert “30 percent or less”.

7:47 P.M. – Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Bishop (NY) amendment stating that the provisions of the amendment proposes a net increase of the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

7:41 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bishop (NY) amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Mr. Bishop (NY).

An amendment to increase funds for the State and Tribal Assistance Grants program.

7:17 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richardson amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Simpson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:12 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment to increase funding for state pollution control and prevention grants by $5 million. The increase is offset by reducing funding for Capitol Improvement and Maintenance fund by the same amount.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Blackburn amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Blackburn demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:57 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blackburn amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mrs. Blackburn.

An amendment to reduce the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account by $30 million an applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

6:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 662).

6:48 P.M. – On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 661).

6:42 P.M. – On agreeing to the LaTourette amendments Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 660).

6:35 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 659).

6:28 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 658).

6:04 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richardson amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Richardson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendments until a time to be announced.

5:56 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson amendment No. 23 under the five-minute rule.

5:55 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment numbered 23 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Buildings and Facilities account by $10 million and increase the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account by $10 million.

5:54 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pompeo amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pompeo demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendments until a time to be announced.

5:46 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pompeo amendment No. 39 under the five-minute rule.

5:44 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Pompeo.

An amendment numbered 39 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Environmental Programs and Management account by $6,246,000 and applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

5:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Fleming amendment Failed by voice vote.

5:33 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flemming amendment under the five-minute rule.

5:31 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Fleming.

An amendment to reduce the Environmental Programs and Management account by $48,206,000 and applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

5:03 P.M. – Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Johnson, E. B. amendment Mr. Simpson stated that the provisions appropriate funds for a program not authorized. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:00 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the E.B. Johnson(TX) amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Ms. Johnson, E. B..

An amendment that inserts “and fellowships” after development within the Science and Technology account.

4:58 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the LaTourette en bloc amendments, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. LaTourette demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendments until a time to be announced.

4:40 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaTourette En Bloc amendments under the five-minute rule.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. LaTourette.

An amendment comprised of several amendments offered en bloc: reduce the Science and Technology account by $20 million and increase the Environmental Programs and Management account by $13 million, increase the funding for the Geographic Programs by $50 million and increase the funding for the Great Lakes Initiative by $50 million.

4:38 P.M. – On agreeing to the Moran amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:04 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Moran amendment under the five-minute rule.

4:03 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Moran.

An amendment to strike the Wild Lands Funding Prohibition account from the bill.

4:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:34 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 121 of the bill.

3:33 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:23 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 120 from the bill.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Dicks amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:02 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 119 from the bill.

3:01 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by voice vote.

2:53 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 118 from the bill.

2:46 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Dicks amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:09 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 116 of the bill.

2:05 P.M. – On agreeing to the Scalise amendment as modified Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 657).

2:01 P.M. – On agreeing to the Reed amendment Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 656).

1:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dold amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 655).

1:52 P.M. – On agreeing to the Amash amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 654).

1:47 P.M. – On agreeing to the Tonko amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 653).

1:44 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 652).

1:39 P.M. – On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 651).

1:15 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 27.

1:12 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

H.R. 440:

to provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia 

1:11 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.

12:33 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 440.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

12:09 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

H.R. 1309:

to extend the authorization of the national flood insurance program, to achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and to increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes 

Senate returned papers to House.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passedS. 1406andS. 846. The Senate also agreed to return the papers ofH.R. 1309.

12:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sires 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.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Rick Postell, Christian Renewal Church, Brunswick, Georgia.

12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 27.

11:08 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Kenny Marchant to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.