The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Wednesday, March 26, 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.  At 11:00am, there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #581 Christopher Reid Cooper – to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #582 M. Douglas Harpool – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #583 Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #584 Edward G. Smith – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

 If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations (which is expected for each of the nominations), the time until 2:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.  At 2:30pm, there will be up to 5 roll call votes in relation to the following (assuming cloture was invoked on all nominations at 11am):

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #581 Christopher Reid Cooper – to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #582 M. Douglas Harpool – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #583 Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #584 Edward G. Smith – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #694 Joseph William Westphal – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

11:02am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #581, Christopher Reid Cooper, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia.

The remaining votes in this series will be 10 minute votes; Invoked: 56-43

11:30am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #582 M. Douglas Harpool – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri. Invoked: 56-43

At 11:48am , the Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #583 Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Invoked: 56-43

At 12:09pm, the Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #584 Edward G. Smith – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Invoked: 75-23

Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent the Veterans Affairs’ committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R.3521 and pass H.R.3521, Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013, as amended by a Vitter amendment (pay-for through price controls for prescription drugs in the Department of Defense). Senator Sanders objected.

Senator Sanders then asked the Senate take up and pass S.1950, as amended by the Sanders substitute amendment, which is the text of S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act. Senator Vitter objected.

At 2:33pm, the Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #581 Christopher Reid Cooper – to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia

Confirmed: 100-0

At 3:02pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #582 M. Douglas Harpool – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri;

Confirmed: 93-5

3:21pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Calendar #583 Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;

Confirmed: 59-41

3:41pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #584 Edward G. Smith – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;

Confirmed: 69-31

By a voice vote, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #694 Joseph William Westphal – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

There will be no further roll call votes during Wednesday’s session of the Senate. The next votes are expected to occur around 12:15pm tomorrow.

This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #573, the nomination of John B. Owens, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, He then filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #333, H.R.3979, which will be the legislative vehicle used for the Unemployment Insurance extension legislation. Under Rule 22, the first cloture vote would occur on Friday; we hope to be able to reach an agreement to move the votes up. Senators will be notified when the votes are scheduled.

That Senate has reached an agreement to vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #689, the nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration, following disposition of H.R.4152, Ukraine.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #581 Christopher Reid Cooper – to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia; Invoked: 56-43

2)     Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #582 M. Douglas Harpool – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri; Invoked: 56-43

3)     Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #583 Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Invoked: 56-43

4)     Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #584 Edward G. Smith – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Invoked: 75-23

5)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #581 Christopher Reid Cooper – to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia; Confirmed: 100-0

6)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #582 M. Douglas Harpool – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri; Confirmed: 93-5

7)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #583 Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Confirmed: 59-41

8)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #584 Edward G. Smith – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Confirmed: 69-31

 

Legislative items

Discharged the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee and passed S.1827, to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces, collectively, in recognition of their heroic military service and defense of our country’s freedom throughout the history of aviation warfare.

 

Discharged the Commerce committee and adopted S.Res.387, celebrating the 2014 Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska.

 

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2157, the Commonsense Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act (Wyden) in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

 

Additional Executive items

Confirmed Confirmation of Executive Calendar #694 Joseph William Westphal to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by voice vote. 

 

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Last Floor Action:3/26
10:00:47 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.

10:00:13 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:22 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Diane Black to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:47 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.

11:16:50 A.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 March 25, 2014, at 5:54 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 4275.
11:16:55 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:08 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 26.
12:00:15 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Jonathon Weaver, Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church. Bowie, Maryland.
12:02:04 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 Speaker’s approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:20 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hahn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:34 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.
12:40:24 P.M.	H. Res. 524	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 524 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1459) to ensure that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 applies to the declaration of national monuments, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.”
12:42:54 P.M.	H. Res. 524	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 524.
1:44:00 P.M.	H. Res. 524	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 524, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.
1:44:35 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess for a period of less than 15 minutes.
2:00:10 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 26.
2:00:11 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:00:22 P.M.	H. Res. 524	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 524 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1459) to ensure that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 applies to the declaration of national monuments, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.”
2:26:43 P.M.	H. Res. 524	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 187 (Roll no. 142).
2:34:28 P.M.	H. Res. 524	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 190 (Roll no. 143).
2:34:29 P.M.	H. Res. 524	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:35:54 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in remembrance of our brave men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, and of all who serve in our armed forces and their familes.
2:36:32 P.M.	H.R. 1228	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1228 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Packerland Drive in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the “Corporal Justin D. Ross Post Office Building”.”
2:43:49 P.M.	H.R. 1228	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 0 (Roll no. 144).
2:43:55 P.M.	H.R. 1228	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
2:44:41 P.M.	H.R. 1459	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 524. H.R. 1459 — “To ensure that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 applies to the declaration of national monuments, and for other purposes.”
2:44:46 P.M.	H.R. 1459	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1459 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution makes in order only those amendments printed in the report. Each amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or the Committee Section 2 of the resolution provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of March 27, 2014, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules relating to a measure addressing the Medicare payment system for physicians and a measure addressing Ukraine.
2:45:11 P.M.	H.R. 1459	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 524 and Rule XVIII.
2:45:12 P.M.	H.R. 1459	The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2:45:19 P.M.	H.R. 1459	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1459.

3:48:34 P.M.	H.R. 1459	An amendment, offered by Mr. Bishop (UT), numbered 1 printed in House Report 113-385 to clarify process for monument designations of 5,000 acres or less which allows temporary designation if imminent threat to antiquity and permanent designation if President follows NEPA review process or Congress enacts law. Also clarifies that President is to use existing resources for monument designation process.
3:49:27 P.M.	H.R. 1459	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 524, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop(UT) amendment No. 1.
3:51:26 P.M.	H.R. 1459	On agreeing to the Bishop (UT) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:51:39 P.M.	H.R. 1459	An amendment, offered by Mr. Barber, numbered 2 printed in House Report 113-385 to require the bill’s feasibility study to include an assessment of the monument declaration’s benefits, including jobs and tourism dollars associated with managing a monument in perpetuity.
3:52:33 P.M.	H.R. 1459	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 524, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barber amendment No. 2.
3:54:41 P.M.	H.R. 1459	On agreeing to the Barber amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:54:58 P.M.	H.R. 1459	An amendment, offered by Ms. Tsongas, numbered 3 printed in House Report 113-385 to preserve the ability of the President to declare as national monuments those that provide for the “protection or conservation of historic or cultural resources related to American military history,” regardless of their size.
3:56:34 P.M.	H.R. 1459	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 524, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tsongas amendment No. 3.
4:00:25 P.M.	H.R. 1459	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Tsongas amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Tsongas demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:00:44 P.M.	H.R. 1459	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business ons the adoption of the amendment that had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:29:38 P.M.	H.R. 1459	On agreeing to the Tsongas amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 197 – 223 (Roll no. 145).
4:29:43 P.M.	H.R. 1459	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1459.
4:30:40 P.M.	H.R. 1459	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:30:50 P.M.	H.R. 1459	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
4:33:07 P.M.	H.R. 1459	Mr. Rahall moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources.
4:33:19 P.M.	H.R. 1459	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rahall 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 prohibit the bill from taking effect until the hourly wage for the lowest 10th percentile of workers for all occupational codes reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics under the Occupational Employment Statistics survey is no less than $10.10 an hour.
4:40:57 P.M.	H.R. 1459	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
4:48:49 P.M.	H.R. 1459	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 193 – 227 (Roll no. 146).
4:57:48 P.M.	H.R. 1459	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 222 – 201 (Roll no. 147).
4:57:49 P.M.	H.R. 1459	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:57:52 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal on which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:58:12 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
4:59:10 P.M.		Mr. Roe (TN) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Agreed to without objection.
5:00:53 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
5:15:20 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:29:01 P.M.		Mr. Castro (TX) moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:29:12 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:29:13 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 27, 2014.

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