November | 2012 | Be a Seed for Change

The Outlook for Thursday 11/29

The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. 11/28

Tomorrow we will resume consideration of the National Defense Authorization bill. Senator Levin announced that it is the managers’ intention that following disposition of the Kyl amendment (as early as tomorrow morning), they intend to consider the Ayotte amendment #3003 (East Coast Missile Defense) and there may or may not be a side-by-side amendment to the Ayotte amendment. Then we hope to consider the Hagan amendment #3095 (strike prohibition on biofuel refinery construction). It is their intent to consider cleared amendments to the bill tomorrow. Senator McCain also noted that we need to deal with the detainee issue and that they will have a number of speakers on that issue.

the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET November 29,2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3254, the Department of Defense Authorization Act.
We continue to work through amendments to the DoD Authorization bill and hope to complete action on the bill this week

The following amendments are pending to S.3254, the DoD Authorization bill:

Kyl amendment #3123 (US-Russia nuclear arms, missile defense, and long-range conventional strike system matters)

The following amendments have been considered to S.3254, the DoD Authorization bill:

McCain amendment #3051 (additional Marine Corps personnel for US embassies, consulates and other diplomatic facilities abroad); Agreed to by voice vote
Udall amendment #2985 (biofuels); Agreed to: 62-37
Gillibrand amendment #3016 (sexual assault in the military); Agreed to by voice vote
Murray amendment #3099 (mental health); Agreed to by voice vote
Leahy amendment #2955 (Dale Long Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvement); Agreed to: 85-11
Kohl amendment #2888 (Post-deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence Program payment); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Manchin amendment #2924 (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System report); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Webb amendment #2949 (temporary increase in accumulated leave carryover extension); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Wyden amendment #2960 (reintrigration into civilian life for National Guard and Reserves report); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Sessions amendment #2963 (Posthumous honorary promotion of Sgt Paschal Conley); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Heller amendment #2969 (TRICARE Prime report); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Hoeven amendment #2991 (SoS on maintenance by US of triad of strategic nuclear delivery systems); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Barrasso amendment #3083 (readiness and flexibility of intercontinental ballistic missile force); Agreed to by unanimous consent

The following amendments were agreed to by unanimous consent:

Kohl #2888 (Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program)

Manchin #2924 (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)

Webb #2949 (accumulated leave carryover for members of AF)

Wyden #2960 (reintegration into civilian life)

Sessions #2963 (Sergeant Paschal Conley)

Heller #2969 (TRICARE)

Hoeven #2991 (SoS strategic nuclear delivery systems)

Barrasso #3083 (intercontinental ballistic missile force)

Senator Ayotte announced that she will not offer her amendment to establish and East Coast missile site. Senator Levin announced on the floor they are working on a modification to the Kyl amendment and the managers would like to vote on that in the next couple of hours.

As always, another message will be sent if and when any agreement is reached.

There will now be up to 10 minutes for debate prior to votes in relation to the following amendments, with no amendments in order prior to the votes:

– Cornyn #3158 (plan to partner with state and local entities to address veterans claims backlog)

– Hagan #3095 (biofuels refinery construction)

The Cornyn amendment #3158 incorporates his modification to his original amendment.

12:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Cornyn amendment #3158 (Veterans backlog);

Agreed To: 95-0

1:01pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Hagan amendment #3095 (biofuel refinery);

Agreed To: 54-41

Following the vote on the Hagan amendment, the next amendments in order are the following:

Merkley #3096) (SoS on Afghanistan) (or a modified version of that amendment

– Portman #2995 (enhance authorities relating ot he the admission of defense industry civilians to DoD educational institutions & programs)

The Managers of the bill said they intend to stay late tonight to continue to work through amendments to the bill, including the detainee issue.

The following amendments were agreed to by unanimous consent:

2:22pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Merkley amendment #3096, as modified (Afghanistan); Agreed to:62-33

The Senate has agreed to the following amendments by voice vote:

Portman #2995 (DoD education)

Blumenthal #3124, as modified (human trafficking)

Inhofe #2972 (Taps)

The managers intend to continue to consider amendments throughout the afternoon and evening. As a result, senator’s schedules should remain flexible as roll call votes are expected to occur with little notice

3:47pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Gillibrand amendment #3058, as modified (autism);

Agreed To: 66-29

The Senate agreed to the Whitehouse amendment #3180 (recalcitrant cancers) by voice vote. Additional roll call votes are possible tonight and tomorrow as the managers work through amendments to the Defense Authorization bill.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in 2 roll call votes tonight at 9:30pm. Those votes will be in relation the following amendments:

– Ayotte #3254 (Guantanamo)

– Feinstein #3018 (detainees)

The Lieberman amendment #3090, as modified (Fire/Safer Grants) was agreed to.

Senator Levin attempted to lock in a 7:30pm filing deadline for first degree amendments tonight. Senator Kyl said they need to check with 2 people on their side before they can grant consent.

Additional votes could occur after the 9:30pm votes.

Details of the agreement can be found below.

Amendments – evening 11/29

Leader: I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for the Lieberman amendment #3090 to be called up with the modification that is at the desk; and that the amendment, as modified be agreed to; that following disposition of the Lieberman amendment, it be in order for the following amendments to be called up:

– Ayotte #3245 (Guantanamo); and

– Feinstein #3018 (Detainees).

That there be up to 20 minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form on the Ayotte amendment; that upon the use or yielding back of time on the Ayotte amendment, there be up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form on the Feinstein amendment; further that at 9:30pm this evening, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the Ayotte and Feinstein amendments in the order listed; and that no amendments be in order to the amendments prior to the votes.

Chair: Is there an objection to the request? Without objection.

The following amendments are pending to S.3254, the DoD Authorization bill:

Kyl amendment #3123 (US-Russia nuclear arms, missile defense, and long-range conventional strike system matters)

The following amendments have been considered to S.3254, the DoD Authorization bill:

McCain amendment #3051 (additional Marine Corps personnel for US embassies, consulates and other diplomatic facilities abroad); Agreed to by voice vote
Udall amendment #2985 (biofuels); Agreed to: 62-37
Gillibrand amendment #3016 (sexual assault in the military); Agreed to by voice vote
Murray amendment #3099 (mental health); Agreed to by voice vote
Leahy amendment #2955 (Dale Long Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvement); Agreed to: 85-11
Kohl amendment #2888 (Post-deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence Program payment); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Manchin amendment #2924 (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System report); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Webb amendment #2949 (temporary increase in accumulated leave carryover extension); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Wyden amendment #2960 (reintrigration into civilian life for National Guard and Reserves report); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Sessions amendment #2963 (Posthumous honorary promotion of Sgt Paschal Conley); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Heller amendment #2969 (TRICARE Prime report); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Hoeven amendment #2991 (SoS on maintenance by US of triad of strategic nuclear delivery systems); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Barrasso amendment #3083 (readiness and flexibility of intercontinental ballistic missile force); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Cornyn amendment #3158 (vets backlog); Agreed to: 95-0
Hagan amendment #3095 (biofuel refinery); Agreed to: 54-41
Webb amendment #2948; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Sessions amendment #2962; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Inhofe amendment #2971; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Casey amendment #2986; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Murray amendment #2989; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Vitter amendment #3085; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Coburn amendment #3110; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Manchin amendment #3166; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Boxer amendment #2981; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Portman amendment #2995 (DoD Education); Agreed to by voice vote
Merkley amendment #3096, as modified (Afghanistan); Agreed to: 62-33
Blumenthal amendment #3124, as modified (human trafficking overseas); Agreed to by voice vote
Inhofe amendment #2972 (SoC – Taps as official military song of remembrance); Agreed to by voice vote
Gillibrand amendment #3058, as modified (Autism); Agreed to: 66-29
Portman amendment #2956 (Educational transcripts); Agreed to by voice vote
Whitehouse amendment #3180 (recalcitrant cancers); Agreed to by voice vote
Lieberman amendment #3090, as modified (Fire Grants); Agreed to by unanimous consent
McCaskill amendment #2929 (wartime contracting); Agreed to by unanimous consent
McCaskill amendment #2942 (whistleblower expansions); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Boxer amendment #3230 (public diplomacy); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Hatch amendment #2966 (reauthorize and expand pilot program promoting certified depot workers one grade level); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Inhofe amendment #2973 (mental health counselor training) ; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Boxer amendment #2980 (report on contractor compensation costs); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Casey amendment #2994 (analysis of feasibility of recycling rare earth elements from fluorescent bulbs); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Toomey amendment #3059 (report on the establishment of a joint Armed Forces historical storage and preservation facility); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Inhofe amendment #3072 (training cost-effectiveness); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Vitter amendment #3086 (Air Force assessments on Joint Readiness Training); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Shaheen amendment #3098 (report on delays in suspension & debarment process); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Coburn amendment #3186 (Study on small arms and ammunition acquisition); Agreed to by unanimous consent
Coons amendment #3201 (Joseph Kony); Agreed to by voice vote
Durbin amendment #3199, as modified (rebel group sanctions); Agreed to by voice vote
Ayotte amendment #3245 (Guantanamo); Agreed to: 54-41
Feinstein amendment #3018 (Detainees); Agreed to: 67-29
Blumenthal amendment #2940; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Brown (MA) amendment #3036; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Toomey amendment #3064; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Levin amendment #3114; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Casey amendment #3193; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Risch amendment #3213; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Wicker amendment #3220; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Johanns amendment #3222; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Coburn amendment #3237; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Levin amendment #3243; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Lieberman amendment #3256; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Cornyn amendment #3260; Agreed to by unanimous consent
McCain amendment #3261; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Kyl amendment #3271; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Webb amendment #3275; Agreed to by unanimous consent
Nelson (NE) amendment #3279; Agreed to by unanimous consent

9:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Ayotte amendment #3245 (Guantanamo); Agreed to: 54-41

10:05pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Feinstein amendment #3018 (detainees); Agreed to: 67-29

There will be no further roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

Prior to the vote on the Feinstein amendment, Senator Levin asked unanimous consent that the next amendments in order be the following:

Sessions amendment #3009

Cardin amendment #3025

Menendez amendment #3232

Nelson FL amendment #3073

Coburn amendment #3254

Senator Schumer objected to the request.

Senator Levin then asked consent that all the above amendments except for Coburn amendment #3254 be in order. Senator Coburn objected to the request.

The following amendments were agreed to:

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Cornyn amendment #3158 (vets backlog) to S.3254, the DoD Authorization bill; Agreed To: 95-0

2) Hagan amendment #3095 (biofuel refinery); Agreed To: 54-41

3) Merkley amendment #3096 (Afghanistan); Agreed To: 62-33

4) Gillibrand amendment #3058, modified (Autism); Agreed To: 66-29

5) Ayotte amendment #3245 (Guantanamo); Agreed To: 54-41

6) Feinstein amendment #3018 (Detainees); Agreed To: 67-29

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Commerce committee and passed S.3542, a bill to authorize the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to modify screening requirements for checked baggage arriving from preclearance airports, and for other purposes with a Klobuchar amendment.

Discharged the HELP committee and adopted S.Res.600, supporting the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month with an amendment to the preamble.

Adopted S.Res.603, designating the week of November 26 through November 30, 2012, as National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week.

Adopted S.Res.604, relative to the death of the Honorable Warren B. Rudman, former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

House Hearings

10:00 am	Hearing: Clean Air Act Forum Part IIICommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power
10:00 am	Hearing: Identity Theft and Tax Fraud: Growing Problems for the Internal Revenue Services, Part 4Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency, and Financial Management
10:00 am	Hearing: How Best to Improve our Nation’s Airport Passenger Security System Though Common Sense SolutionsCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation
10:00 am	Hearing: Joint hearing entitled “Examining the Impact of the Proposed Rules to Implement Basel III Capital Standards” Committee on Financial Services: Multiple Subcommittees
10:00 am	Hearing: The Role of Receivers in a Spectrum Scarce WorldCommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
10:30 am	Hearing: TIME CHANGE: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 511Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
11:00 am	Hearing: Israel’s Right to Defend Itself: Implications for Regional Security and U.S. InterestsCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee
2:00 pm	Markup: Markup on H.R. 1798Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
2:00 pm	Hearing: Hearing entitled “The Future of Money: Dollars and Sense” Committee on Financial Services: Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology
2:00 pm	Hearing: 1 in 88 Children: A Look Into the Federal Response to Rising Rates of AutismCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee

Last Floor Action:
10:01:15 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

10:00:18 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:27 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles J. “Chuck” Fleischmann to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:49 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1998.
10:01:15 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.

10:55:34 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:09 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 29.
12:00:15 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Leslie Callahan, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
12:01:42 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:52 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Reed to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:53 P.M.		The Speaker recognized Ms. Fudge for one minute for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain.
12:03:55 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.
12:26:10 P.M.	H. Res. 821	>Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 821 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6429) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote innovation, investment, and research in the United States, to eliminate the diversity immigrant program, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.”
12:26:22 P.M.	H. Res. 821	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 821.
1:20:04 P.M.	H. Res. 821	The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:20:15 P.M.	H. Res. 821	On agreeing to the resolution Roll Call 611 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

1:45:44 P.M.	H. Res. 821	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 170 (Roll no. 611).
1:45:46 P.M.	H. Res. 821	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:46:55 P.M.	H. Res. 822	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 822 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
1:47:26 P.M.	H. Res. 822	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
1:47:37 P.M.	H. Res. 822	<Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:47:48 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:54:11 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
3:23:45 P.M.		Mr. Ellison moved that the House do now adjourn.
3:23:51 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
3:23:59 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on November 30, 2012.