26 | January | 2015 | Be a Seed for Change

When it comes to a diplomacy-first approach with Iran, President Obama is right.

“The American people expect us to only go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom.” – State of the Union address

The purpose of Iranian sanctions was always to open the door to negotiations; it would be irresponsible to tie negotiator’s hands as those efforts are beginning to bear fruit.

The U.S. Senate is set to take up the matter as early as next week, and last November’s election puts our diplomatic progress in jeopardy. As veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters, it’s important we make our voices heard.

Sign our petition telling the U.S. Senate to VOTE NO on the Menendez-Kirk bill designed to ensure diplomatic efforts fail.

Congress has the responsibility to do everything it can before putting American troops in harm’s way — which, as the President said, should only be a last resort.

That means letting diplomacy work without undermining our negotiators.

The debate isn’t over, but it’s clear that momentum is on the side of those who want to empower our negotiators and provide them the support they need. That’s good for America’s security, and military.

Add your voice to the debate. Tell the Senate to give diplomacy a chance:

http://action.votevets.org/iran

We’re going to deliver your signatures directly to Senators Menendez and Kirk’s offices. So your voice makes a difference.

Thanks for making it heard.

Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton
VoteVets.org

The Senate stands adjourned under the provisions of S.Res.38 until 4:30pm on Monday, January 26, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1. The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the bill is 3:00pm on Monday, with the second degree amendment deadline set for 5:00pm.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator McConnell filed cloture on the Murkowski amendment #2 (substitute) and on the underlying bill, S.1, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. The next roll call vote will occur at 5:30pm on the motion to invoke cloture on the Murkowski amendment #2 (substitute).

5:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Murkowski amendment #2 (substitute) to S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline;

Not invoked: 53-39

Senator McConnell entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote.

5:58pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline;

Not Invoked: 53-39

Senator McConnell entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote.

There will be no further roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Motion to invoke cloture on Murkowski amendment #2; Not agreed to: 53-39.
Motion to invoke cloture on S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline; Not agreed to: 53-39.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.41, congratulating the North Dakota State University football team for winning the 2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
6:32:21 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 27, 2015.

Last Floor Action:
2:12:45 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

Last Floor Action:
3:08:03 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 26, 2015.

12:00:16 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:21 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Rick W. Allen to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:44 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:08:17 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:17 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 26.
2:01:19 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:05 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:08 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pitts to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:32 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:11:38 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on January 26, 2015, at 12:47 p.m., stating that that body had agreed to S. Res. 38.
2:11:43 P.M.		Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C 3003, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Mr. Smith of NJ, Chairman.
2:12:31 P.M.		Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 6913, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China: Mr. Smith of NJ, Chairman.
2:12:45 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

3:33:31 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 26.
3:33:40 P.M.		Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent That, the order of the House of January 6, 2015, regarding Morning-Hour debate not apply on January 27, 2015. Agreed to without objection.
3:34:02 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:34:23 P.M.	H.R. 514	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 514 — “To prioritize the fight against human trafficking within the Department of State according to congressional intent in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 without increasing the size of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.”
3:34:38 P.M.	H.R. 514	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:34:40 P.M.	H.R. 514	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 514.
3:51:04 P.M.	H.R. 514	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:51:08 P.M.	H.R. 514	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:51:10 P.M.	H.R. 515	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 515 — “To protect children from exploitation, especially sex trafficking in tourism, by providing advance notice of intended travel by registered child-sex offenders outside the United States to the government of the country of destination, requesting foreign governments to notify the United States when a known child-sex offender is seeking to enter the United States, and for other purposes.”
3:51:23 P.M.	H.R. 515	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:51:24 P.M.	H.R. 515	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 515.
4:08:48 P.M.	H.R. 515	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:08:51 P.M.	H.R. 515	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:09:01 P.M.	H.R. 357	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 357 — “To amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to expand the training for Federal Government personnel related to trafficking in persons, and for other purposes.”
4:09:14 P.M.	H.R. 357	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:09:17 P.M.	H.R. 357	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 357.
4:22:20 P.M.	H.R. 357	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:22:22 P.M.	H.R. 357	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:23:00 P.M.	H.R. 468	Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 468 — “To amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to increase knowledge concerning, and improve services for, runaway and homeless youth who are victims of trafficking.”
4:23:15 P.M.	H.R. 468	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:23:17 P.M.	H.R. 468	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 468.
4:35:10 P.M.	H.R. 468	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:35:13 P.M.	H.R. 468	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:35:18 P.M.	H.R. 469	Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 469 — “To amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to enable State child protective services systems to improve the identification and assessment of child victims of sex trafficking, and for other purposes.”
4:35:36 P.M.	H.R. 469	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:35:38 P.M.	H.R. 469	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 469.
4:58:52 P.M.	H.R. 469	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:59:28 P.M.	H.R. 246	Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 246 — “To improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking.”
4:59:53 P.M.	H.R. 246	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:59:55 P.M.	H.R. 246	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 246.
5:20:43 P.M.	H.R. 246	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:21:16 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
5:26:26 P.M.		The House received a communication from Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Haas notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena for documents issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in connection with a criminal case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she will determine whether compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
5:26:52 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:28:20 P.M.		Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 48.
6:29:00 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:32:07 P.M.		Mr. Jenkins (WV) moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:32:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:32:21 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 27, 2015.