January | 2015 | Be a Seed for Change

Lonnie Bunch at the NMAAHC

Help us build the Museum by donating today!

With generous support from friends like you, we have passed the midpoint in the construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture!

Now we’re in the process of installing of the three-tiered “corona” that will crown the building and surround the main galleries.

Composed of 3,600 cast-aluminum panels finished in bronze-colored alloy, the architecturally-dramatic corona incorporates African and African American design elements — inspired by both slave-made New Orleans ornamental ironwork and the headdress of a caryatid, a human-shaped porch column used by the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria and southern Benin.

Once completed, the corona will visually define the Museum inside and out. Sunlight entering through its panels will gently illuminate the Museum’s wood-covered interior walls. And at night, light reflecting off the corona’s spectacular exterior will make the Museum truly stand out on the National Mall — as it reaches to the heavens to express the faith, hope and resilience of the African American spirit.

Thanks to your commitment, we’re entering the homestretch to the Museum’s 2016 opening.

But we still need to raise $250 million from private sources to complete the building, assemble our collection of African American historical and cultural treasures, and create our opening exhibitions and other programming. And I’m counting on your continued help to make it happen.

Carmen, please consider making a special gift of $50 or more today to help meet this critical goal and ensure that the Museum opens our doors on schedule next year.

The Museum’s opening will mark an important step forward in America’s understanding of who we are as a nation and how we can build a better future together. It will be a place where ALL visitors can learn about the African American experience that is inextricably woven into the fabric of America’s history — shining a spotlight on people, achievements and events that have played such a critical role in shaping our nation, but are too often forgotten or ignored.

Thank you again for your leadership in making this important addition to our shared American heritage possible!

All the best,

Lonnie G. Bunch
Founding Director

P.S. Together, we’ve made remarkable strides toward creating a living, breathing museum that will educate all Americans about African American history and culture, while fostering understanding and reconciliation. Please help us finish the job and open the Museum on by making a generous donation today.

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, January 28, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Democrats controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

At 2:30pm, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the following amendments in the order listed, with all amendments subject to a 60 vote affirmative threshold and that no second degree be in order to the amendments.

Cardin amendment #75 (local water supplier)
Peters amendment #70 (pipeline safety)
Sanders amendment #23 (solar panels)
Cruz amendment #15 (expedited export of natural gas to WTO)
Merkley amendment #125 (infrastructure)
Moran amendment #73 (prairie chicken)
Whitehouse amendment #148 (campaign finance disclosure re: Keystone)
Daines amendment #132 (Sense of Congress national monuments)
Coons amendment #115 (climate resiliency projects)
Collins amendment #35 (school building efficiency)
Carper amendment #120 (fuel cell motor vehicles)
Murkowski amendment #166 (wilderness study areas)
Heitkamp amendment #133 (renewable tax credits)
Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking)
Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund)
Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)

2:32pm, The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Cardin amendment #75 (local water supplier);

Not Agreed To: 37-61

Next (10 minute votes):

Peters amendment #70 (pipeline safety)
Sanders amendment #23 (solar panels)
Cruz amendment #15 (expedited export of natural gas to WTO)
Merkley amendment #125 (infrastructure)
Moran amendment #73 (prairie chicken)
Whitehouse amendment #148 (campaign finance disclosure re: Keystone)
Daines amendment #132 (Sense of Congress national monuments)
Coons amendment #115 (climate resiliency projects)
Collins amendment #35 (school building efficiency)
Carper amendment #120 (fuel cell motor vehicles)
Murkowski amendment #166 (wilderness study areas)
Heitkamp #133 (renewable tax credits)
Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking)
Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund) –side by side to Burr amendment #92
Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)

3:02pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Peters amendment #70 (pipeline safety).

Not Agreed To: 40-58

Next (10 minute votes):

Sanders amendment #23 (solar panels)
Cruz amendment #15 (expedited export of natural gas to WTO)
Merkley amendment #125 (infrastructure)
Moran amendment #73 (prairie chicken)
Whitehouse amendment #148 (campaign finance disclosure re: Keystone)
Daines amendment #132 (Sense of Congress national monuments)
Coons amendment #115 (climate resiliency projects)
Collins amendment #35 (school building efficiency)
Carper amendment #120 (fuel cell motor vehicles)
Murkowski amendment #166 (wilderness study areas)
Heitkamp #133 (renewable tax credits)
Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking)
Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund) –side by side to Burr amendment #92
Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)

3:21pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Sanders amendment #23 (solar panels);

Not Agreed To: 40-58

3:41pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Cruz amendment #15 (expedited export of natural gas to WTO).

Not agreed to: 53-45

The Merkley amendment #125 was withdrawn. At 4:01pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Moran amendment #73 (prairie chicken).

Not agreed to: 54-44

4:19pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Whitehouse amendment #148 (campaign finance disclosure re:Keystone).

Not agreed to: 44-52

4:39pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Daines amendment #132 (sense of congress: national monuments);

Not Agreed To: 50-47

Next (10 minute votes):

Coons amendment #115 (climate resiliency projects)
Collins amendment #35 (school building efficiency)
Carper amendment #120 (fuel cell motor vehicles)
Murkowski amendment #166 (wilderness study areas)
Heitkamp #133 (renewable tax credits)
Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking)
Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund) –side by side to Burr amendment #92
Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)

5:01pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the Coons amendment #115 (climate resiliency projects);

Not Agreed To: 47-51

The Collins amendment #35 was agreed to by voice vote. The Carper amendment #120 was withdrawn.

5:23pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Murkowski amendment #166 (wilderness study areas);

Not Agreed To: 50-48

5:44pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Heitkamp #133 (renewable tax credits);

Not Agreed To: 47-51

Next (10 minute votes):

Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking)
Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund) –side by side to Burr amendment #92
Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)

6:03pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking);

Not Agreed To: 35-63

The following amendments are pending to S.1, Keystone XL Pipeline:

Murkowski amendment #2 (substitute)
Vitter amendment #80, as modified (OCS)
Sullivan amendment #67 (prohibit arming EPA)
Murkowski amendment #98 (Sense of Congress arctic region)

Flake amendment #103 (duplicative green building programs)
Boxer amendment #130 (preserve existing permits)
Collins amendment #35 (school building efficiency)
Merkley amendment #174 (domestic/international adaptation)

Merkley amendment #125 (infrastructure)
Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
Tillis amendment #102 (OCS leasing)
Markey amendment #178 (tar sands)

Markey amendment #141 (effective date/extreme weather events)
Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances)
Burr amendment #92 (Land and Water Conservation Fund)
Carper amendment #120 (fuel cell motor vehicles)

Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
Peters amendment #55 (study on by-product environmental impact)
Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
Udall #77 (renewable electricity standards)

The following amendments are pending to S.1, Keystone XL Pipeline:

Murkowski amendment #2 (substitute)
Vitter amendment #80, as modified (OCS)
Sullivan amendment #67 (prohibit arming EPA)
Murkowski amendment #98 (Sense of Congress arctic region)

Merkley amendment #125 (infrastructure)
Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
Tillis amendment #102 (OCS leasing)
Markey amendment #178 (tar sands)

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Cardin amendment #75 (local water supplier); not agreed to: 37-61.
Peters amendment #70 (pipeline safety); not agreed to: 40-58.
Sanders amendment #23 (solar panels); not agreed to: 40-58.
Cruz amendment #15 (expedited export of natural gas to WTO); not agreed to: 53-45.
Moran amendment #73 (prairie chicken); not agreed to: 54-44.
Whitehouse amendment #148 (campaign finance disclosure re: Keystone); not agreed to: 44-52.
Daines amendment #132 (Sense of Congress: national monuments); not agreed to: 50-47.
Coons amendment #115 (climate resiliency projects); not agreed to: 47-51.
Collins amendment #35 (school building efficiency); agreed to by voice vote.
Murkowski amendment #166 (wilderness study areas); not agreed to: 50-48.
Heitkamp amendment #133 (renewable tax credits); not agreed to: 47-51.
Gillibrand amendment #48 (fracking); not agreed to: 35-63.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.50, Congratulating The Ohio State University football team for winning the 2015 College Football Playoff national championship.

Adopted S.Res.51, Recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.272, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations FY2015

Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
12:08:14 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on January 30, 2015.

Last Floor Action:
9:15:28 A.M. -H.R. 351
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 351.

9:00:32 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:43 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:02 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:16 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:19 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Benishek to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:38 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:15:16 A.M.	H.R. 351	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 48. H.R. 351 — “To provide for expedited approval of exportation of natural gas, and for other purposes.”
9:15:21 A.M.	H.R. 351	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 351 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
9:15:28 A.M.	H.R. 351	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 351.

10:12:31 A.M.	H.R. 351	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:12:40 A.M.	H.R. 351	Mr. Garamendi moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
10:13:02 A.M.	H.R. 351	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi motion to recommit with instructions, pending a reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section at the end of the bill pertaining to Protecting National Security and Creating American Jobs. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.
10:21:21 A.M.	H.R. 351	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:51:19 A.M.	H.R. 351	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 175 – 237 (Roll no. 49).
10:58:16 A.M.	H.R. 351	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 277 – 133 (Roll no. 50).
10:58:16 A.M.	H.R. 351	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:58:49 A.M.		Mrs. Roby asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2015. Agreed to without objection.
10:58:50 A.M.		Mrs. Roby asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, January 30, 2015, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, February 2, 2015 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
11:02:35 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:11:53 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:08:04 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:08:13 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
12:08:14 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on January 30, 2015.