Daily Archives: 12/10/2013

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 12/10 ~~ the House


matthew 25

What side of History will your member of Congress be remembered for ?

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. All post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will immediately vote on confirmation of the Millet nomination (approximately 10:15am).

Following the vote on confirmation of the Millett nomination, Senators should expect up to 3 additional roll call votes with respect to the reconsideration of the cloture vote on Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency:

–          Motion to proceed to Executive Session for the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination;

–          Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; and

–          Motion to invoke cloture on the Watt nomination, upon reconsideration.

During Monday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order.  Under the rule, the first cloture vote will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, December 11th.  If cloture is invoked on a nominee, the number of post-cloture hours is in parentheses next to each nomination. Upon disposition of a nomination, the Senate will immediately vote on cloture on the next nomination.

1)      Executive Calendar #378, Chai Rachel Feldblum, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (8 hours);

2)      Executive Calendar #330, Elizabeth A. Wolford, of New York, to be US District Judge for the Western District of New York (2 hours);

3)      Executive Calendar #347, Landya B. McCafferty, of New Hampshire, to be US District Judge for the District of New Hampshire (2 hours);

4)      Executive Calendar #361, Patricia M. Wald, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (8 hours);

5)      Executive Calendar #348, Brian Morris, of Montana, to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana (2 hours);

6)      Executive Calendar #349, Susan P. Watters, of Montana, to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana (2 hours);

7)      Executive Calendar #358, Deborah Lee James, of Virginia, to be Secretary of the Air Force (8 hours);

8)      Executive Calendar #444, Heather Anne Higginbottom, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources (8 hours);

9)      Executive Calendar #406, Anne W. Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs) (8 hours);

10)  Executive Calendar #450, Jeh Charles Johnson, of New Jersey, to be Secretary of Homeland Security (30 hours).

10:14am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #327,

the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

Confirmed: 56-38

Next votes:

– Motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination;

– Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration.

10:45am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reid motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination.

Agreed to: 54-42

Next votes: – Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226,

the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration.

11:07am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination

Agreed to: 54-42

Next Votes

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration.

Senator McConnell made a point of order that nominations are fully debatable under the rules of the Senate unless 3/5 of senators have voted to bring debate to a close. The Chair ruled that a majority vote for cloture is required to confirm all nominations (except Supreme Court nominees).

11:29am The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the question: SHALL THE RULING OF THE CHAIR STAND?

Ruling of the Chair:

Majority vote for cloture required to confirm all nominations (except Supreme Court nominees)

Position stands: 51-45

11:50am The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mel Watt to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration

Invoked: 57-40

Upon reconsideration, cloture on the Watt nomination (FHFA) was invoked 57-40.

There will now be up to 8 hours for debate equally divided. The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm in order to allow for the weekly caucus meetings, with the time charged equally to both sides. Another message will be sent when the next vote is scheduled.

5:23pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #226,

the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency;

Confirmed:57-41

5:51pm The Senate began a 15 minute vote on the motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #233, the nomination of Cornelia T. L. Pillard, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia;

Agreed To: 54-44

6:09pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reid motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Pillard nomination;

Agreed to: 54-44

6:28pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote the motion to invoke cloture on Pillard nomination, upon reconsideration;

Invoked: 56-42

Senator Reed asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1797, Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013, which was submitted earlier today. Senator Hoeven objected.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES 

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Confirmed: 56-38

2)      Motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; Agreed to: 54-42

3)      Motion to reconsider of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; Agreed to: 54-42

4)      Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate (cloture on nominations (other than Supreme Court nominees) is a majority vote) (McConnell appeal of the chair); the decision of the Chair was sustained: 51-45

5)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 57-40

6)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency; Confirmed: 57-41

7)      Motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #233, the nomination of Cornelia T. L. Pillard, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia; Agreed to: 54-44

8)      Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Pillard nomination; Agreed to: 54-44

9)      Motion to invoke cloture on the Pillard nomination, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 56-42

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.2992, an Act To extend the authority of the Supreme Court Police to protect court officials away from the Supreme Court grounds.

Passed H.R.2871, To amend title 28, United States Code, to modify the composition of the southern judicial district of Mississippi to improve judicial efficiency, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Res.315, a resolution to authorize production of records by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The Senate began the Rule 14 process on S.1797, Unemployment Insurance Benefits Extension Act of 2013

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:12/10
12:22:27 P.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action:12/10
5:19:28 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00
p.m. on December 10, 2013.

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