State Work Period July 2-6, 2012

17 Dems voted with Republicans on AG Holder #Contempt Charge

– Peterson, Owens(NY), Altmire, Barrow, Donnelly(IN)

– Critz(PA), Matheson(UT), McIntyre,(NC) Walz, Ross, Rahall

– Boswell, Chandler, Kissell(NC), Hochul(NY), Kind(WI), Boren

the Senate Convenes: 10:00amET June 29, 2012

• Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
• The transportation conference report was filed in the House on Thursday evening.  We hope to get consent to consider it Friday morning

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (Transportation/Flood Insurance/Student Loan Interest Rate package) notwithstanding lack of receipt of the papers. As a result of this agreement, senators should expect a series of up to 4 roll call votes beginning at ­­­­12:55pm today.

Under the agreement the only points of order in order prior to adoption are:

–       Budget points of order;

–       Rule 28 (scope of conference); and

–       Rule 28, paragraph 9 (48 hour availability).

If any points of order are raised and a motion or motions to waive are made, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to waive in the order the points of order are made. If the motions to waive are successful, the Senate would proceed to vote on adoption of the conference report. Adoption of the conference report is subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold.

There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. Each vote after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

If the conference report is adopted, the title amendment will be agreed to.

12:53pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to waive McConnell for Paul points of order that the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (Surface Transportation/Floor Insurance/Student Loans) violates Rule 28, paragraph 9 (48 hour availability); Waived: 72-20

1:22pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to waive all Rule 28 (scope of conference) points of order; Waived: 66-28

1:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4345, Surface Transportation (63-30, 1 voting present)

1:54pm The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.4348, Surface Transportation/Flood Insurance/Student Loans; Adopted: 74-19, 1 voting present

The motion to proceed to S.2237, Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act, is pending.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to waive Rule 28 (availability) with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (60-vote threshold); Waived: 72-22

2)      Motion to waive Rule 28 (scope of conference) with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (60-vote threshold); Waived: 66-28

3)      Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (60-vote threshold); Waived: 63-30-1

4)      Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act (60-vote threshold); Adopted: 74-19-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Commerce Committee and passed S.1335, the Pilots’ bill of rights with a Hutchison-Inhofe substitute amendment.

Adopted S.Con.Res.51, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and adjournment of the House of Representatives.

Passed H.R.6064, the Temporary Surface Transportation Extension Act (extends to July 6, 2012).

Passed S.2165, United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 with a committee-reported substitute amendment by voice vote.

Discharged the Veterans Affairs Committee and passed S.3238, A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Mansfield, Ohio, as the David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic and for other purposes.

Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.376, a resolution commemorating the 225^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States and recognizing the contributions of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Passed S.3363, to provide for the use of National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin surcharges, and for other purposes.

Passed S.2239, to direct the head of each agency to treat relevant military training as sufficient to satisfy training or certification requirements for Federal licenses with a committee-reported substitute amendment.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4018, Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2012.  (Democratic request)

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and confirmed:

PN1680 – Derek J. Mitchell, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to the Union of Burma.

Discharged the Commerce Committee and confirmed the following:

PN1442 – a list of 7 Coast Guard nominees beginning with RDML Daniel B. Abel and ending with RDML Christopher J. Tomney to be Rear Admiral Upper Half,

PN1461 – Coast Guard RDML John S. Welch to be Rear Admiral Upper Half,

PN1462 – a list of 5 Coast Guard nominees beginning with LT Jason A. Boyer and ending with LT Matthew A. Pickard to be Lieutenant Commander,

PN1671 – a list of 3 Coast Guard nominees beginning with Russell E. Bowman and ending with Meghan K. Steinhaus to be Members of the Coast Guard Permanent Commissioned Teaching Staff,

PN1377 – a list of 20 NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps nominees beginning with Lucas D. Johnson and ending with Theresa A. Madsen to be Ensign, and

PN1734 – a list of 11 NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps nominees beginning with ENS Kyle S. Salling and ending with ENS Shannon K. Hefferan to be Lieutenant Junior Grade;

Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and confirmed:

PN1121 – Deborah J. Jeffrey to be Inspector General of the Corporation  for National And Community Service.

Confirmed the following:

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #726 to be General: Lt. Gen. Herbert J. Carlisle

NATIONAL BOARD FOR EDUCATION SCIENCES

Executive Calendar #764 Larry V. Hedges, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2015

Executive Calendar #765 Susanna Loeb, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring March 15, 2016

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

Executive Calendar #766 Kamilah Oni Martin-Proctor, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 2014.

Executive Calendar #767 Sara A. Gelser, of Oregon, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 2014. (Reappointment)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Executive Calendar #768 Edward M. Alford, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of The Gambia.

Executive Calendar #769 Peter William Bodde, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Executive Calendar #770 Piper Anne Wind Campbell, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to Mongolia.

Executive Calendar #771 Dorothea-Maria Rosen, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Executive Calendar #772 Mark L. Asquino, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Executive Calendar #773 Michele Jeanne Sison, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Maldives.

Executive Calendar #774 Douglas M. Griffiths, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique.

Executive Calendar #775 Jay Nicholas Anania, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname.

Executive Calendar #776 Susan Marsh Elliott, of Florida, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan.

Executive Calendar #778 Richard L. Morningstar, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Executive Calendar #819 Patrick A. Miles – to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years

Executive Calendar #820 John S. Leonardo – to be United States Attorney for the District of Arizona for the term of four years

Executive Calendar #821 Jamie A. Hainsworth – to be United States Marshal for the District of Rhode Island for the term of four years

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE

Executive Calendar #822 Grande Lum – to be Director, Community Relations Service, for a term of four years

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Executive Calendar #823 Kristine L. Svinicki – to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2017 (reappointment)

Executive Calendar #824 Allison M. Macfarlane – to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2013.

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The House adjourns after passing Conference Report 373 – 52

http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.aspx