The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.J.Res.59. the Continuing Resolution, with the time from 10:30am controlled in 1 hour increments, with the Majority controlling the first hour and alternating thereafter.

If no agreement is reached under Rule 22, the cloture vote on the Continuing Resolution would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Friday. The filing deadline for germane first degree amendments to H.J.Res.59, is 1:00pm tomorrow.

Yesterday Senator Reid filed cloture on the H.J.Res.59, the continuing resolution. If cloture is invoked, germane first degree amendments must be filed at the desk prior to 1:00pm today to be considered in order, if cloture is invoked.

If no agreement can be reached, the cloture vote on the joint resolution would occur one hour after the Senate convenes tomorrow, Friday, September 27. However, by consent the vote could be moved to another time, perhaps even later today. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment to call up Vitter amendment #1983, to prohibit funds for congressional and certain administration officials’ health insurance contributions.

Senator Tester objected.

Senator Toomey asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up the following amendments:

Toomey #1971 (repeal medical devise excise tax)

Toomey #1972 (delay application of individual health insurance mandate)

Toomey #1973 (rights of conscience with respect to health items or services)

Senator Tester objected.

Senator Coats asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Coats amendment #1979 (delay the application of the individual health insurance mandate, to delay the application of the employer health insurance mandate).

Senator Tester objected.

The Senate concurred in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R.527, Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. As a result in concurring in the House Amendment, the bill will be sent to the President.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent there be 4 votes this evening around 7:30pm:

–       Cloture on H.J.Res.59, the continuing resolution

–       Motion to waive budget points of order

–       Reid amendment #1974, perfecting substitute

–       Passage of H.J.Res.59, as amended

Senator Lee asked to modify the request so that the votes would occur tomorrow. Senator Reid declined to modify. Senators Lee, Corker, and Cruz then engaged in a colloquy discussing the merits of voting today or tomorrow. Below you will find the unofficial transcript of the colloquy (a must read). Senator Lee ultimately objected to voting tonight.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of up to 4 roll call votes at 12:30pm tomorrow, Friday, September 27. Those votes are in relation to the following items:

–       Cloture on H.J.Res.59, the continuing resolution

–       Motion to waive budget point of order

–       Reid amendment #1974, perfecting substitute

–       Passage of H.J.Res.59, as amended

All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

–       H.J.Res.59, Continuing Appropriations

 

Reid:   I ask unanimous consent that following Leader remarks on Friday, September 27th, the time until 12:10pm be equally divided between proponents and opponents of the motion to invoke cloture on H.J.Res.59; that the time from 12:10pm until 12:30pm be reserved from the two Leaders, with the final 10 minutes under control of the Majority Leader;

that at 12:30pm, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.J.Res.59; that if cloture is invoked, all post-cloture time be yielded back; the pending Reid amendment #1975 be withdrawn; that no other amendments be in order;

that the Majority Leader be recognized to make a motion to waive applicable budget points of order; that if a motion to waive is agreed to, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Reid amendment #1974; that upon disposition of the Reid amendment, the joint resolution be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution, as amended, if amended,

finally, that all after the first vote in this sequence of votes be ten minute votes and there be two minutes equally divided between the votes.

There will be no roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.527, Helium Stewardship Act.

Passed S.1348, a bill to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act with a Carper amendment.

Adopted S.Res.261, designating the week beginning September 23, 2013, as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week”.

Adopted S.Res.262, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of suicide prevention awareness.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

**************************************************************

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

Last Floor Action:
10:01:00 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate.

At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:00:10 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:39 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug LaMalfa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:00 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:40:01 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 252 and Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 793
10:52:15 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:14 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 26.
12:00:25 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:49 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Wilson (SC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Wilson (SC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:05 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Fudge to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:50 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.
12:38:49 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:39:55 P.M.	H.R. 3095	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3095 — “To ensure that any new or revised requirement providing for the screening, testing, or treatment of individuals operating commercial motor vehicles for sleep disorders is adopted pursuant to a rulemaking proceeding, and for other purposes.”
1:12:26 P.M.	H.R. 3095	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 – 0 (Roll no. 486).
1:12:30 P.M.	H.R. 2600	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2600 — “To amend the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to clarify how the Act applies to condominiums.”
1:25:09 P.M.	H.R. 2600	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 487).
1:25:21 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question on agreeing to the Journal de novo.
1:32:29 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 260 – 137, 2 Present (Roll no. 488).
1:32:38 P.M.	H.R. 687	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 351. H.R. 687 — “To facilitate the efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land, and for other purposes.”
1:32:43 P.M.	H.R. 687	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 687, H.R. 1526 and H.R. 3102. Measures will be considered read.
1:33:42 P.M.	H.R. 687	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 351 and Rule XVIII.
1:34:29 P.M.	H.R. 687	The Speaker designated the Honorable Lee Terry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
1:34:44 P.M.	H.R. 687	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 687.
2:26:33 P.M.	H.R. 687	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 113-215 to guarantee the jobs this mine does create benefit the local community by requirin g that the Remote Operating Center be located in the town of Superior, Arizona or an adjacent mining community.
2:27:29 P.M.	H.R. 687	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 351, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grijalva Part A amendment No. 1.
2:35:10 P.M.	H.R. 687	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 the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:36:15 P.M.	H.R. 687	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lujan, Ben Ray (NM), numbered 2 printed in Part A of House Report 113-215 to require the Secretary to remove Native American sacred and cultural sites from the conveyance in consultation with affected Indian Tribes.
2:36:20 P.M.	H.R. 687	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 351, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ben Ray Lujan (NM) Part A amendment No. 2.
2:48:14 P.M.	H.R. 687	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ben Ray Lujan (NM) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ben Ray Lujan (NM) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:49:09 P.M.	H.R. 687	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Napolitano, numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 113-215 to protect water quality and water quantity for the people living and working near this proposed mine, given estimates that mining operations will consume the equivalent of the annual water supply for 20,000 homes.
2:49:12 P.M.	H.R. 687	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 351, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Napolitano Part A amendment No. 3.
2:57:38 P.M.	H.R. 687	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Napolitano amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Napolitano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:58:58 P.M.	H.R. 687	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.
3:26:02 P.M.	H.R. 687	On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 489).
3:35:01 P.M.	H.R. 687	On agreeing to the Napolitano amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 490).
3:35:14 P.M.	H.R. 687	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved the the Committee now rise.
3:35:40 P.M.	H.R. 687	On motion the the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:35:50 P.M.	H.R. 687	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 687 as unfinished business.

3:38:31 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:56:35 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:52:59 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 527.
4:53:35 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.
6:58:51 P.M.		Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 361.
6:59:39 P.M.		Mr. Sessions moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:59:46 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:59:47 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on September 27, 2013.

_________________________________________________________________________________________