The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, April 3, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3979, the legislative vehicle for the Unemployment Insurance Extension Act.

 The time during adjournment will count post-cloture on the Reed amendment #2874.

 We hope to reach an agreement on the Unemployment Insurance bill as well as some Executive nominations during Thursday’s session.

The Senate has reached an agreement on H.R.3979, the legislative vehicle for the Unemployment Insurance Extension bill.  Under the agreement, there will be up to 3 roll call votes (2 expected) at 2:30pm today and one roll call vote at 5:30pm on Monday.  The details of the agreement are below.

 

At 2:30pm today, all post-cloture time on the Reed amendment #2874 will be considered expired. The following amendments will be withdrawn: #2875, #2877 and #2878.

 

Senator Sessions or his designee will then be recognized to raise a budget point of order against the Reed amendment #2874; once the budget point of order is raised, Senator Murray or her designee will be recognized to make a motion to waive.

 

At 2:30pm today, there will be up to 3 roll call votes (2 expected):

1)      Murray or designee motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Reed amendment #2874 (60-vote threshold)

2)      If the motion is successful (which is expected), adoption of the Reed amendment #2874, as amended, if amended (expected voice vote)

3)      Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3979, as amended, if amended (60-vote threshold)

 

If cloture is invoked on H.R.3979, all post-cloture time will be expired at 5:30pm on Monday, April 7^th and the Senate will vote on passage of H.R.3979, as amended, if amended.

2:33pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Murray motion to waive the Sessions Budget point of order;

Agreed To: 60-36

The motion to waive the Budget point of order was agreed to 60-37. The Senate then agreed to Reed amendment #2874 by voice vote.

 

At 3:02pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3979, Emergency Unemployment Benefits Extension Act;

Invoked: 61-35

This will be the last vote of the week. The next vote will be at 5:30pm on Monday, April 7. That vote will be on passage of H.R.3979, as amended.

Senator Walsh asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.R.2559 and S.255, as amended with the Committee-reported amendment. Senator Toomey objected to both requests on behalf of Senators Cruz and Coburn.

 

H.R.2559, To withdraw certain Federal land and interests in that land from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws and disposition under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws and to preserve existing uses.

 

S.255, A bill to withdraw certain Federal land and interests in that land from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws and disposition under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws.

The Senate ratified the following fisheries treaties by division votes:

 

112-4 Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Un reported, and Unregulated Fishing

113-1  Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean

113-2  Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean

113-3 Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries

The Senate ratified the following fisheries treaties by division votes:

 

112-4 Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Un reported, and Unregulated Fishing

113-1  Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean

113-2  Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean

113-3 Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries

The Senate passed S.404, Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act, as amended with the Committee-reported amendment.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Murray motion to waive on the Sessions Budget point of order with respect to the Reed substitute amendment #2874 to H.R.3979; Waived: 60-37

2)     Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3979, the legislative vehicle for the Emergency Unemployment Benefits Extension Act, as amended; Invoked: 61-35

 

Additional Legislative items

Passed S.404, a bill to preserve the Green Mountain Lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmi National Forest with a committee-reported amendment.

 

Adopted S.Res.384, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the humanitarian crisis in Syria and neighboring countries, resulting humanitarian and development challenges, and the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis by voice vote.

 

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.394, designating April 5, 2014, as “Gold Star Wives Day”.

 

Adopted H.Con.Res.88, to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

 

Executive items

Ratified the following treaties by division vote:

Executive Calendar #1, treaty document #112-4, Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Un reported, and Unregulated Fishing

Executive Calendar #2, treaty document #113-1, Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean

Executive Calendar #3, treaty document #113-2, Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean

Executive Calendar #4, treaty document #113-3, Amendment to the Convention on Furure Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries

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10:00:17 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:32 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert Pittenger to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:46 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.
10:06:16 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.————————————————————————————————————————————————–  12:00:16 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 3. 12:00:27 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. 12:01:58 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. 12:02:03 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC 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. 12:27:21 P.M. H.R. 2575 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2575 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 30-hour threshold for classification as a full-time employee for purposes of the employer mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and replace it with 40 hours.” 12:27:49 P.M. H.R. 2575 DEBATE – The House proceeded with the remaining 1 hour and 46 minutes of debate on H.R. 2575. 2:37:24 P.M. H.R. 2575 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. 2:37:58 P.M. H.R. 2575 Mr. Takano moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means. 2:38:20 P.M. H.R. 2575 Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to prohibit the underlying bill from taking effect if any provision results in (1) the loss of health coverage or loss of wages for any employee; (2) an increase in the Federal deficit; (3) the loss of health coverage for veterans and their families; (4) an increase in premiums or out of pocket costs for employees; (5) denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions; or (6) discriminating against women by limiting their access to quality healthcare or decreasing their health coverage. 2:45:05 P.M. H.R. 2575 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. 3:11:23 P.M. H.R. 2575 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 191 – 232 (Roll no. 155). 3:12:25 P.M. MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the violence in Fort Hood, TX on April 2, 2014. 3:23:08 P.M. H.R. 2575 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 248 – 179 (Roll no. 156). 3:23:09 P.M. H.R. 2575 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. 3:24:05 P.M. The House received a communication from the Honorable Tulsi Gabbard. Ms. Gabbard submitted her resignation from the Committee on Homeland Security. The resignation was accepted without objection. 3:24:06 P.M. The House received a communication from the Honorable Stevan A. Horsford. Mr. Horsford submitted his resignation from the Committees on Natural Resources and Homeland Security, allowing him to fill a vacancy on the Financial Services Committee. The resignation was accepted without objection. 3:24:20 P.M. H. Res. 537 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 537 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.” 3:24:42 P.M. H. Res. 537 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. 3:24:48 P.M. H. Res. 537 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. 3:27:00 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches. 3:33:26 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. 4:35:31 P.M. Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 539. 4:36:16 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.  5:31:11 P.M. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 404. 5:31:58 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches. 6:00:54 P.M. The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification declaring a national emergency with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by the situation in South Sudan. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-102). 6:03:08 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches. 6:33:11 P.M. Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn. 6:33:21 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. 6:33:22 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on April 4, 2014.