the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET October 17, 2011

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until
  4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
• Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of H.R.2112,
  the vehicle for the Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, and Science; and
  Transportation/HUD Appropriations bills.
• At 5:15pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider
  Executive Calendar #271, Cathy Bissoon, of PA, to be United States District
  Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania with 15 minutes of debate equally
  divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on
confirmation of the Bissoon nomination.

~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF OCTOBER 14, 2011

 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 2011.4:26:28 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:26:11 P.M. -Mr. Reyes moved that the House do now adjourn.3:27:40 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.3:27:15 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader. Pursuant to Section 1002 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-306) as amended by section 701(a)(3) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Ms. Pelosi notified the House that she had appointed the following individuals to the National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the U.S. Intelligence Community: The Honorable Rush D. Holt of New Jersey and Ms. Samantha Ravich of Clark, New Jersey. Ms. Ravich was appointed at the recommendation of Speaker John Boehner.3:26:47 P.M. -DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION – Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 431 note and the order of the House of January 5, 2011 the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION: Mr. Bishop of GA .3:25:20 P.M. -CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 6913 an the order of the House of Jnauary 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: Mr. Walz of MN .2:24:39 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.2:15:00 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.2:14:02 P.M. -Mr. Chabot asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, October 21, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:14:01 P.M. -Mr. Chabot asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 21, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:14:00 P.M. -Mr. Chabot asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, October 14, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:13:05 P.M. -H.R. 822Mr. Chabot asked unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary have until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2011, to file a report to accompany H.R. 822.2:13:04 P.M. -H.R. 2273Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:13:04 P.M. -H.R. 2273On passage Passed by recorded vote: 267 – 144 (Roll no. 800).2:06:41 P.M. -H.R. 2273On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 172 – 238 (Roll no. 799).1:50:19 P.M. -H.R. 2273The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.1:39:39 P.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cicilline motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to implement a warning system in the event of a catastrophic failure at a coal ash disposal site. Under this amendment, the EPA Administrator must require the owner or operator of a surface coal ash disposal site, such as a disposal pile or lagoon, to equip such site with a sufficient system to monitor for, and notify the public of a potentially hazardous condition that could lead to failure of the site’s ability to contain coal ash.1:39:07 P.M. -H.R. 2273Mr. Cicilline moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.1:38:18 P.M. -H.R. 2273The 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.1:37:56 P.M. -H.R. 2273The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:37:41 P.M. -H.R. 2273The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2273.1:37:00 P.M. -H.R. 2273On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 235 (Roll no. 798).1:32:52 P.M. -H.R. 2273On agreeing to the Rush amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 164 – 241 (Roll no. 797).1:29:42 P.M. -H.R. 2273On agreeing to the Markey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 223 (Roll no. 796).1:26:03 P.M. -H.R. 2273On agreeing to the Markey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 173 – 231 (Roll no. 795).1:21:37 P.M. -H.R. 2273On agreeing to the Waxman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 236 (Roll no. 794).12:55:45 P.M. -H.R. 2273UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the adoption of amendments which had previously been debated and on which further proceedings were postponed.12:54:50 P.M. -H.R. 2273POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.12:46:23 P.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment.12:46:21 P.M. -H.R. 2273An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX),  numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-244 to require the Administrator of the EPA to submit a report to Congress on the long-term impacts of State coal combustion residuals permit programs on human health and the environment within five years of enactment of the legislation.12:45:34 P.M. -H.R. 2273POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.12:35:43 P.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment.12:35:27 P.M. -H.R. 2273An amendment, offered by Mr. Rush,  numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-244 to provide federal enforcement authority so that if the EPA Administrator determines that a structure is in violation of a State coal combustion residuals permit program, and the State has not taken appropriate action to enforce such permit program with respect to such structure, the Administrator may inspect such structure and enforce the requirements of such permit program with respect to such structure.12:34:44 P.M. -H.R. 2273POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.12:26:57 P.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment No 4.12:26:55 P.M. -H.R. 2273An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey,  numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-244 to require the States to notify the public and the EPA and offer the opportunity to comment before a State establishes a program to regulate coal combustion waste.12:26:20 P.M. -H.R. 2273POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.12:18:27 P.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment No. 3.12:18:25 P.M. -H.R. 2273An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey,  numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-244 to establish a time frame for bringing existing surface impoundments into compliance with revised criteria for design, groundwater monitoring, and corrective action. Will maintain state flexibility to opt-out (with certification) and provide up to 10-year compliance window.12:16:00 P.M. -H.R. 2273POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waxman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.12:08:54 P.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waxman amendment.12:08:51 P.M. -H.R. 2273An amendment, offered by Mr. Waxman,  numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-244 to require state programs to meet a legal standard of protection to ensure that human health and the environment are protected.12:08:27 P.M. -H.R. 2273On agreeing to the Shimkus amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.11:57:22 A.M. -H.R. 2273DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 431, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Shimkus amendment.11:57:20 A.M. -H.R. 2273An amendment, offered by Mr. Shimkus,  numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-244 to provide additional detail to the certification requirements that States provide to EPA; add certain operating criteria from Part 258 of 40 CFR, clarify that states may request technical assistance from EPA; add a savings clause for citizen suits; add additional constituents for groundwater monitoring; reiterate in the definition of revised criteria that the criteria were promulgated to protect human health and the environment. The amendment makes other technical and clarifying changes to H.R. 2273.10:49:11 A.M. -H.R. 2273GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2273.10:49:01 A.M. -H.R. 2273The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Chairman of the Committee.10:49:00 A.M. -H.R. 2273House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 431 and Rule XVIII.10:48:21 A.M. -H.R. 2273Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2273 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce shall be considered as an original bill.10:48:16 A.M. -H.R. 2273Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 431. H.R. 2273 — “To amend subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to facilitate recovery and beneficial use, and provide for the proper management and disposal, of materials generated by the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels.”10:47:43 A.M. -H. Res. 431Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:47:42 A.M. -H. Res. 431On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 163 (Roll no. 793).10:37:24 A.M. -H. Res. 431On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 166 (Roll no. 792).9:15:20 A.M. -H. Res. 431DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 431.9:15:10 A.M. -H. Res. 431Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 431 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2273) to amend subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to facilitate recovery and beneficial use, and provide for the proper management and disposal, of materials generated by the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels.”9:02:00 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.9:01:29 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fleischmann to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:01:26 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:00:26 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:12 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.