The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, February 24, 2014.

The Senate will meet on the following days at the following times for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted:

– Friday, February 14th at 10:30am

– Tuesday, February 18th at 10:30am and

– Friday, February 21st at 10:30am.

Following the prayer and pledge, Senator King will be recognized to deliver Washington’s Farewell Address.

 Upon conclusion of the reading, the Majority Leader will be recognized and then the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

On Wednesday, February 12^th, cloture was filed on the following items in the order listed:

–        Executive Calendar #564 Jeffrey Alker Meyer -to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut

–        Executive Calendar #564 #570 James Maxwell Moody, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas

–        Executive Calendar #564 #566 James Donato – to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

–        Executive Calendar #564 #567 Beth Labson Freeman – to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California and

–        Motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

At 5:00pm on Monday, February 24^th, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #564, the nomination of Jeffrey Alker Meyer to be US District Judge for the District of Connecticut with up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Meyer nomination.

If cloture is invoked on the Meyer nomination, there would be up to 2 hours for post-cloture debate. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate would proceed to a vote confirmation of the nomination, then proceed to the next cloture vote and repeat the process for the remaining nominations in the list above. Following disposition of the Freeman nomination, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.1982.

While up to 9 roll call votes (5 cloture votes and 4 confirmation votes) are possible Monday evening, we anticipate that after three votes, the remaining will resume sometime Tuesday morning.

Likely votes Monday at 5:30pm:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #564 Jeffrey Alker Meyer -to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut

• (up to 2 hours of equally divided debate, likely one hour)

–        Confirmation of Meyer nomination

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #564 #570 James Maxwell Moody, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

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Last Floor Action:2/11
7:03:23 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 14, 2014.

2:00:20 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:37 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Fred Upton to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:59 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend William Gurnee, John Paul II Seminary, Washington, DC.
2:02:09 P.M.		The Chair announced that pursuant to section 2(a) of H. Res. 475, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
2:02:13 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:03:03 P.M.		The House received a communication from Representative Andrews wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective on February 18, 2014.
2:04:27 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the section 4(d) of H. Res. 5, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, and section 1(k)(2) of H. Res. 895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, the Clerk transmitted to the House a notification that Bryson Morgan has signed an agreement not to be a candidate for the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for the purpose of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least three years after he is no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of Congressional Ethics.
2:04:36 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 12, 2014 at 4:03 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 540 and that the Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 25.
2:05:10 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 14, 2014 at 9:56 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 81 and H. Con. Res. 82. The message also stated that the Senate made appointments to the National Commission on Hunger.
2:05:34 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 12, 2014 at 11:37 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1068. The message also stated that the Senate made appointments to the Board of Visitors of the United States Air Force Academy and the Board of Visitors of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
2:07:50 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 475.The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 18, 2014.

« Previous Day

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The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00am with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

–          Executive Calendar #525, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large,

–          Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research),

–          Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years, and

–          Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment).

There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 11:30am), there will be up to 4 roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above. There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

We expect to receive the debt limit legislation and the military retirement pay bill from the House.  We hope to consider both items during Wednesday’s session.

At 11:36am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #525, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large;

Confirmed: 98-0

There will be up to 3 more votes in this series. There will now be at least 3 roll call votes at 1:45pm, with the possibility of several additional more votes.

Next:

–          Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research),

–          Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years, and

–          Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment).

1:45pm:

–          Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Debt Ceiling

–          Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Debt Ceiling

–          Motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, the legislative vehicle for the military retirement pay restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration)

We expect to add several additional votes to the 1:45pm vote series. Another message will be sent once any further agreement is reached.

House Message to Accompany S.540 (Debt Ceiling Increase)

 

Leader:            I ask unanimous consent that following the series of votes scheduled for 11:30am and the resumption of legislative session, notwithstanding the previous order, the time until 1:45pm be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that at 1:45pm, the Chair lay before the body the message from the House to accompany S.540; that following reporting of the message the Majority Leader, or designee, be recognized to move to concur in the House amendment to S.540; that if a cloture motion is filed on the motion to concur, the Senate immediately proceed to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur; that if cloture is invoked, all post cloture time be yielded back and the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540; that upon disposition of the House message to accompany S.540, the Chair lay before the body the House message to accompany S.25, with the remaining provisions of the previous order remaining in effect with the debate time modified to be two minutes equally divided in the usual form prior to the vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.25; that if cloture is not invoked on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, the Chair lay before the body the House message to accompany S.25, with the remaining provisions of the previous order remaining in effect with the exception of the debate time which will now be two minutes equally divided in the usual form prior to the vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.25.

At 12:01pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research);

Confirmed: 98-0

At 12:16pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years.

Confirmed: 97-0

Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment) was confirmed by voice vote.

Senator Pryor asked unanimous consent to take up and confirmed the Brooks and Moody nominations (Arkansas district judges). Senator Grassley objected.

–       Executive Calendar #565, Timothy L. Brooks, of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.

–       Executive Calendar #570, James, Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Upon disposition of the Military Retirement Pay bill, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of 8 nominations. We expect to conduct 5 roll call votes during this series and confirm the other nominations by voice vote.

1:45pm votes:

1. Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act
2. Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act
3. Motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, Military Retirement Pay Restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration)
4. Executive Calendar #497 Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
5. Executive Calendar #498 Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
6. Executive Calendar Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years
7. Executive Calendar #494 Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years
8. Executive Calendar #495 Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years
9. Executive Calendar #496 Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years
10. Executive Calendar #531 Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
11. Executive Calendar #534 Robert A. Sherman, Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic

1:56pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act;Invoked: 67-31

2:56pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on  adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act;

Agreed To: 55-43

At 3:20pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, Military Retirement Pay Restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration);

Agreed To: 95-3

We expect all of the nominations to be confirmed by voice vote. The next vote will occur at 5:30pm, Monday, February 24.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

• Executive Calendar #497 Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #498 Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #494 Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #495 Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #496 Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years
• Executive Calendar #531 Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
• Executive Calendar #534 Robert A. Sherman, Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic

The Senate then resumed Legislative Session and, by consent

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to take up and confirm the Meyer, Moody, Donato, and Freeman nominations. Senator Cornyn objected. Senator Reid then filed cloture on the nominations. The first cloture vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, February 24. If cloture is invoked on the first  nomination, there would be up to 2 hours for post-cloture debate. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate would proceed to a vote confirmation of the nomination, then proceed to the next cloture vote and repeat the process for the remaining nominations on the list. The mandatory quorums required under Rule 22 were waived by consent.

–          Executive Calendar #564, Jeffrey Alker Meyer, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut;

–          Executive Calendar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas;

–          Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and

–          Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, following consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 20 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #561, the nomination Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #525, Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large; Confirmed: 98-0

2)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #595, Daniel Bennett Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research); Confirmed 98-0

3)     Confirmation Executive Calendar #527, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of five years; United States Alternate Governor for the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of five years; Confirmed 97-0

4)     Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, the Debt Ceiling legislation; Invoked: 67-31

5)     Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.540, the Debt Ceiling legislation; Agreed to: 55-43

6)     Motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.25, the legislative vehicle for the military retirement pay restoration with an offset (extension of sequestration); Agreed to: 95-3

Additional Legislative Items

Passed S.1254, a bill to amend the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes with a Nelson amendment.

Adopted H.Con.Res.81, providing a correction in the enrollment of S.25 (military retirement pay restoration).

Adopted H.Con.Res.82, providing a correction in the enrollment of S.540 (debt limit).

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.350, Designating February 14, 2014, as National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care with Booker amendments to the preamble and the resolution.

Adopted S.Res.358, commending the Seattle Seahawks for winning Super Bowl XLVIII and the 12^th Man for their critical support.

Adopted S.Res.359, to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2024, to amend chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, with regard to the definition of ‘‘marriage’’ and ‘‘spouse’’ for Federal purposes and to ensure respect for State regulation of marriage (Senators Cruz and Lee) in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

Additional Executive Items

Confirmed the following items by voice vote:

• Executive Calendar #529, Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be an Undersecretary of State (Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment)
• Executive Calendar #497 Kevin W. Techau, of Iowa, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #498 Andrew Mark Luger, of Minnesota, to be United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar Hobbs, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #494 Gary Blankinship, of Texas, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Texas for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #495 Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years
• Executive Calendar #496 Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years
• Executive Calendar #531 Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
• Executive Calendar #534 Robert A. Sherman, Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Portuguese Republic

Confirmed the following by unanimous consent:

Executive Calendar numbers 597; 598; 601; 602; 603, with the exception of Colonel Mark A. Baird and Colonel Robert W. Stanley II; 604; 605, with the exception of Colonel Andrew E. Salas; 606, with the exception of Brigadier General Jon K. Kelk; 607; 608; 609; 610; 611 and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force and Army. The names corresponding to each Executive Calendar number is below.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Executive Calendar #597 Brad R. Carson – to be Under Secretary of the Army

Executive Calendar #598 William A. LaPlante, Jr. – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #601 Brig. Gen. William D. Cobetto – to be Major General

Executive Calendar #602 Brig. Gen. Bart O. Iddins – to be Major General

Executive Calendar #603 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel Roy-Alan C. Agustin

Colonel Robert G. Armfield

Colonel Mark A. Baird

Colonel Dieter E. Bareihs

Colonel Mitchel H. Butikofer

Colonel Mark D. Camerer

Colonel Douglas A. Cox

Colonel Stephen L. Davis

Colonel Eric T. Fick

Colonel Keith M. Givens

Colonel Paul H. Guemmer

Colonel Gregory M. Guillot

Colonel Gregory M. Gutterman

Colonel Darren E. Hartford

Colonel David W. Hicks

Colonel Brian T. Kelly

Colonel David A. Krumm

Colonel Peter J. Lambert

Colonel Evan M. Miller

Colonel Thomas E. Murphy

Colonel David S. Nahom

Colonel Mary F. O’Brien

Colonel Stephen W. Oliver, Jr.

Colonel Scott L. Pleus

Colonel John T. Rauch, Jr.

Colonel Christopher M. Short

Colonel Kirk W. Smith

Colonel Robert W. Stanley, II

Colonel Mark E. Weatherington

Colonel Stephen C. Williams

Executive Calendar #604 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel Dennis J. Gallegos

Colonel David D. Hamlar, Jr.

Colonel John S. Tuohy

Executive Calendar #605 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel Paul D. Jacobs

Colonel Timothy P. O’Brien

Colonel Andrew E. Salas

Executive Calendar #606 To be Major General-

Brigadier General Jon K. Kelk

Brigadier General Cassie A. Strom

Brigadier General Kenneth W. Wisian

Executive Calendar #607 To be Major General-

Brigadier General Daryl L. Bohac

Brigadier General Robert M. Branyon

Brigadier General Michael B. Compton

Brigadier General James E. Daniel, Jr.

Brigadier General Matthew J. Dzialo

Brigadier General Richard N. Harris, Jr.

Brigadier General Worthe S. Holt, Jr.

Brigadier General Gary W. Keefe

Brigadier General David T. Kelly

Brigadier General Donald A. McGregor

Brigadier General Robert L. Shannon, Jr.

Brigadier General Robert S. Williams

Executive Calendar #608 To be Major General-

Brigadier General Christopher J. Bence

Brigadier General Jack L. Briggs, II

Brigadier General David J. Buck

Brigadier General Thomas A. Bussiere

Brigadier General Stephen A. Clark

Brigadier General Stephen T. Denker

Brigadier General John L. Dolan

Brigadier General Michael E. Fortney

Brigadier General Peter E. Gersten

Brigadier General Gina M. Grosso

Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris, Jr.

Brigadier General Daryl J. Hauck

Brigadier General John M. Hicks

Brigadier General John P. Horner

Brigadier General James R. Marrs

Brigadier General Lawrence M. Martin, Jr.

Brigadier General John K. McMullen

Brigadier General Bradford J. Shwedo

Brigadier General Jay B. Silveria

Brigadier General Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall

Brigadier General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost

Brigadier General Mark W. Westergren

Executive Calendar #609 Col. Paul W. Tibbets, IV -to be Brigadier General

ARMY

Executive Calendar #610 Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #611 Col. Stuart W. Risch – to be Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps

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Last Floor Action:2/11
7:03:23 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 14, 2014.