12 | September | 2012 | Be a Seed for Change

Union of Concerned Scientists

For decades, the federal government has failed to produce an acceptable solution to manage the nation‘s radioactive nuclear waste from nuclear power plants. Today most of this dangerous “spent” fuel is stored in densely packed pools at the nation’s 104 operating nuclear reactors, posing significant risks to millions of Americans.

In fact, the pools contain on average much more nuclear waste and are more densely packed than the pools at the Fukushima reactors. An accident or terrorist attack resulting in a rapid loss of cooling water from a pool could lead to a fire and release of a massive quantity of highly radioactive material. To better protect Americans, most independent experts agree that radioactive waste that has cooled sufficiently should be transferred to concrete and steel containers called dry casks.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the Nuclear Waste Administration Act (S. 3469), legislation to overhaul the country’s long-term nuclear waste storage and management system. Unfortunately, the bill would do little to improve public safety in the near-term because it does not address moving the waste out of the densely packed pools into dry casks.

We need your senator, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, to attend the hearing and champion dry cask storage as a critical first step in managing and safely disposing of the nation’s growing stockpile of high-level nuclear waste.

Urge your senator to attend this critical hearing tomorrow and champion the dry cask storage of nuclear waste.

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Sean Meyer
Manager, Strategic Campaigns
UCS Global Security Program

the Senate Convened 9:30amET

Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act, post-cloture.
The first 70 minutes will be 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.
All time during adjournment, recess, and morning business will count post-cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3457, by unanimous consent. The Senate will begin consideration of S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act on Wednesday. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.

The Senate is currently considering the motion to proceed to S.3457, Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012, post-cloture. At this time, we are not able to obtain consent to adopt the motion to proceed or to yield back any post-cloture time. As a result, senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 8:45pm tonight on adoption of the motion to proceed.

The Senate adopted the motion to proceed to S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act, by a vote of 84-8.

Senate Reid then offered the Murray substitute amendment #2789, filled the remaining slots on the amendment tree with technical amendments, and filed cloture motions on the Murray substitute and the underlying bill. The cloture vote on the substitute will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Friday. Senators should expect that vote to occur as early as 1am Friday morning.

Senator Reid then moved to proceed to S.3521, Tax Extenders.

Senator Paul asked consent that it be in order to offer 2 amendments to the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. The first amendment (#2783) would eliminate foreign aid to Libya and Egypt and the second amendment would eliminate foreign aid to Pakistan. Senator Reid objected.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to proceed to S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act; Agreed to: 84-8

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.6336, an Act to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to accept a statue depicting Frederick Douglas from the District of Columbia and to provide for the permanent display of the statue in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol.

Adopted S.Res.551, commending the four American public servants who died in Benghazi, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, for their tireless efforts on behalf of the American people and condemning the violent attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.

Adopted S.Res.552, a resolution recognizing the month of October 2012 as “National Principals Month”

Adopted S.Res.553, designating September 22, 2012, as “National Falls Prevention Awareness Day” to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————————————————————

http://www.houselive.gov/

10:00:24 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:29 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Ann Marie Buerkle to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:03 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.
10:58:10 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:51 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 12.
12:00:53 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Matthew Mello, The Church of the Resurrection, Lakeland, Florida
12:02:08 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:11 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Ellison to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:36 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.
12:30:10 P.M.	H.R. 5544	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 773. H.R. 5544 — “To authorize and expedite a land exchange involving National Forest System land in the Laurentian District of the Superior National Forest and certain other National Forest System land in the State of Minnesota that has limited recreational and conservation resources and lands owned by the State of Minnesota in trust for the public school system that are largely scattered in checkerboard fashion within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and have important recreational, scenic, and conservation resources, and for other purposes.”
12:30:15 P.M.	H.R. 5544	Resolution provides for consideration of both H.R. 5544 and H.R. 5949. Both measures are debatable for one hour each. For H.R. 5544, specified amendments are in order. For H.R. 5949, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, shall be considered as adopted. For each bill, one motion to recommit is in order, with or without instructions.
12:30:35 P.M.	H.R. 5544	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 773 and Rule XVIII.
12:30:36 P.M.	H.R. 5544	The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.
12:30:59 P.M.	H.R. 5544	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5544.
1:13:13 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>An amendment, offered by Ms. McCollum, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 112-660 to ensure tribal treaty rights are preserved and tribes are consulted.
1:13:16 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 773, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCollum amendment.
1:20:14 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McCollum amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. McCollum demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:20:44 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>An amendment, offered by Mr. Holt, numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 112-660 to restore public participation in development of this proposed land exchange, which is prohibited under H.R. 5544.
1:20:49 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 773, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment.
1:31:56 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>DEBATE – At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:32:34 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>An amendment, offered by Mr. Ellison, numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 112-660 to ensure that no National Forest System lands shall be included in the exchange where the inclusion or use of the lands is likely to have a negative impact on private property, property values, and small businesses.
1:32:37 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 773, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison amendment.
1:43:15 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ellison amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:43:52 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>An amendment, offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 112-660 to strike the unusual appraisal language from H.R. 5544 and replace it with standard appraisal provisions used in federal land exchanges.
1:43:54 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 773, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grijalva amendment.
1:53:09 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Grijalva demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:53:43 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
2:22:07 P.M.	H.R. 5544	<action_description>On agreeing to the McCollum amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 201 – 213 (Roll no. 563).
2:30:53 P.M.	H.R. 5544	On agreeing to the Holt amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 177 – 236 (Roll no. 564).
2:35:25 P.M.	H.R. 5544	On agreeing to the Ellison amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 225 (Roll no. 565).
2:39:14 P.M.	H.R. 5544	On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 191 – 223 (Roll no. 566).
2:39:45 P.M.	H.R. 5544	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5544.
2:40:17 P.M.	H.R. 5544	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.
2:40:25 P.M.	H.R. 5544	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2:41:52 P.M.	H.R. 5544	Mr. Ellison moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.
2:42:05 P.M.	H.R. 5544	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new provision to the bill prohibiting the Secretary of the Interior from exchanging land in Minnesota that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is used for hunting, fishing, or motorized recreation, including snowmobiling in season.
2:50:26 P.M.	H.R. 5544	>The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
3:09:21 P.M.	H.R. 5544	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 233 (Roll no. 567).
3:16:28 P.M.	H.R. 5544	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 225 – 189 (Roll no. 568).
3:16:28 P.M.	H.R. 5544	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:18:14 P.M.	H.R. 5949	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 773. H.R. 5949 — “To extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for five years.”
3:18:19 P.M.	H.R. 5949	Resolution provides for consideration of both H.R. 5544 and H.R. 5949. Both measures are debatable for one hour each. For H.R. 5544, specified amendments are in order. For H.R. 5949, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, shall be considered as adopted. For each bill, one motion to recommit is in order, with or without instructions.
3:18:52 P.M.	H.R. 5949	>DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5949.
4:26:11 P.M.	H.R. 5949	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:27:42 P.M.	H.R. 5949	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair put the question on adoption of H.R. 5949, and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ruppersberger demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on question of adoption until later in the legislative day.
4:29:00 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess for a period of less than 15 minutes.
4:44:09 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 12.
4:44:10 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.R. 5949, and motions to suspend the rules, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:44:44 P.M.	H.R. 5949	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5949 — “To extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for five years.”
5:16:02 P.M.	H.R. 5949	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 301 – 118 (Roll no. 569).
5:16:04 P.M.	H.R. 5949	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:16:07 P.M.	H.R. 3857	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3857 — “To amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to include as an eligible use the sustainment of specialized operational teams used by local law enforcement under the Transit Security Grant Program, and for other purposes.”
5:23:37 P.M.	H.R. 3857	>On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 355 – 62 (Roll no. 570).
5:23:38 P.M.	H.R. 3857	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:23:43 P.M.	H.R. 5865	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5865 — “To promote the growth and competitiveness of American manufacturing.”
5:31:29 P.M.	H.R. 5865	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 339 – 77 (Roll no. 571).
5:31:30 P.M.	H.R. 5865	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:31:43 P.M.		Mr. Woodall filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 778 and H. Res. 779.
5:32:00 P.M.		The House received a communication from CeJae Johnson, Constituent Services Representative. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Johnson notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the Chesterfield, Virginia General District Court (Civil) for hearing testimony. After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
5:33:38 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
5:37:27 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:29:32 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:29:42 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:29:43 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on September 13, 2012.

House hearings …

Session
12:00 am	Hearing: User Fees in the Aviation Industry: Turbulence AheadCommittee on Small Business: Full Committee
9:00 am	Hearing: Chairman Johnson Announces Hearing on the Direct Deposit of Social Security Benefits Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security
9:45 am	Hearing: Where the Jobs Are: There’s an App for ThatCommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
9:45 am	Hearing: Dawood National Military Hospital, Afghanistan: What Happened and What Went Wrong? Part IICommittee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: A Review of and Update on the Management of FAA’s NextGen ProgramCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation
10:00 am	Hearing: Examining NASA’s Development of the Space Launch System and Orion Crew CapsuleCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: Operational Contracting Support: Learning from the Past and Preparing for the FutureCommittee on Armed Services: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: The Obama Administration’s Abuse of PowerCommittee on the Judiciary: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: DOE’s Nuclear Weapons Complex: Challenges to Safety, Security, and Taxpayer StewardshipCommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
10:00 am	Hearing: The EMP Threat: Examining the ConsequencesCommittee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies
10:00 am	Markup: Markup of Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 2827, a bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes and H.R. _____, The Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2012Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: Beijing as an Emerging Power in the South China SeaCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee
2:00 pm	Hearing: Joint Hearing: Organ Harvesting of Religious and Political Dissidents by the Chinese Communist PartyCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights
2:00 pm	Hearing: Resilient Communications: Current Challenges and Future AdvancementsCommittee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications
2:00 pm	Hearing: Mismanagement of Funds at the National Weather Service and the Impact on the Future of Weather ForecastingCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
2:30 pm	Hearing: UPDATE: NEW TIME Chairman Herger Announces Hearing on Implementation of Health Insurance Exchanges and Related Provisions Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health
3:00 pm	Hearing: H.R. 6365-National Security and Job Protection ActCommittee on Rules:
3:00 pm	Hearing: H.R. 6213-No More Solyndras ActCommittee on Rules: Full Committee
3:00 pm	Hearing: H.J. Res. 117-Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on the Legislative and Budget Process