Republicans tell Women, Hobby Lobby is not just a Corporation but People too & MORE important than their Health Care CHOICES  56-43

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, July 17, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #438, S.2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate on the Coburn amendment #3549, 20 minutes on the Vitter amendment #3550, 10 minutes on the Flake amendment, and 30 minutes on the Tester amendment. Any remaining time until 12:30pm will be for general debate on the bill.

At 12:00pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of up to 5 votes (3 roll calls and 2 voice votes expected):

1. Coburn #3549 (roll call on motion to waive Budget point of order expected (60-vote threshold))
2. Vitter #3550 (voice vote expected)
3. Flake #3551 (roll call vote expected at majority vote threshold)
4. Tester #3552 (voice vote expected)
5. Passage of S.2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014 (roll call vote expected–majority vote threshold)

We expect to reach an agreement to vote at 2:00pm tomorrow on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #849, the nomination of Julie E. Carnes, Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit at 2:00pm tomorrow.

The Senate has reached an agreement to vote at 2:00pm today on cloture on the Carnes nomination (GA Circuit) and then on confirmation of the Shear (Ass’t Sec of Defense) and Mader (Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management) nominations. At 5:30pm on Monday, July 21, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Carnes nomination. We expect voice votes on the Shear and Mader nominations.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

12:00 noon—5 votes (3 roll calls expected)

1. Coburn #3549 (roll call on motion to waive Budget point of order expected (60-vote threshold))
2. Vitter #3550 (voice vote expected)
3. Flake #3551 (roll call vote expected at majority vote threshold)
4. Tester #3552 (voice vote expected)
5. Passage of S.2244:”>S.2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014 (roll call vote expected–majority vote threshold)

2:00pm—up to 3 votes (1 roll call expected)

1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #849 Julie E. Carnes, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #709 David B. Shear, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense
3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #834 David Arthur Mader, of Virginia, to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget

Monday, July 21

5:30pm—1 roll call expected

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #849 Julie E. Carnes, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit

As a reminder, last night Senator Reid also filed cloture on 3 district court nominations. We expect to process those on Tuesday, July 22 with cloture and confirmation votes. Senators will be notified when those votes are scheduled.

Tuesday, July 22—up to 6 roll call votes at times to be determined on cloture and confirmation of the following nominations:

–        Executive Calendar #851, Andre Birotte, Jr., of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

–        Executive Calendar #852, Robin L. Rosenberg, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida

–        Executive Calendar #854, John W. deGravelles, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana

1. Vitter #3550 (voice vote expected)
2. Flake #3551 (roll call vote expected at majority vote threshold)
3. Tester #3552 (voice vote expected)
4. Passage of S.2244:”>S.2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014 (roll call vote expected at majority vote threshold)

2:00pm—up to 3 votes (1 roll call expected)

1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #849 Julie E. Carnes, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #709 David B. Shear, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (voice vote expected)
3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #834 David Arthur Mader, of Virginia, to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget (voice vote expected)

The Vitter #3550 was agreed to by voice vote

12:36pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the Flake #3551;

Agreed To: 97-0

The Tester amendment #3552 was agreed to by voice vote.

12:51pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on passage of S.2244, Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014, as amended;

Passed: 93-4

The previously scheduled cloture vote on the Carnes will now begin at 1:45pm.

1:45pm—1 roll call vote and 2 voice votes expected:

1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #849 Julie E. Carnes, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #709 David B. Shear, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (expect voice vote)
3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #834 David Arthur Mader, of Virginia, to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget (expect voice vote)

Senator Paul asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S.2265, the Stand with Israel Act of 2014.

Senator Corker objected.

1:52pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #849 Julie E. Carnes, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit;

Invoked: 68-23

Next–voice votes expected:

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #709 David B. Shear, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (voice vote expected)
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #834 David Arthur Mader, of Virginia, to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget (voice vote expected)

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

Executive Calendar #709 David B. Shear, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (voice vote expected)

Calendar #834 David Arthur Mader, of Virginia, to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget (voice vote expected)

The next vote is expected to occur at 5:30pm on Monday, July 21. That vote will be on confirmation of the Carnes nomination

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Last Floor Action:7/16
9:01:34 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES –  7/17

The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

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Republicans tell women Hobby Lobby is more important 56-43

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the White nomination until 10:15am. Senators Grassley, Cornyn, and Shaheen will control 10 minutes each of that time and Senator McCaskill will control any remaining time.

 At 10:15am, there will be a cloture vote on Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri

 If cloture is invoked, at 12:20pm the Senate will vote on confirmation of the White nomination.

 Upon disposition of the White nomination, the Senate will resume Legislative Session and the motion to proceed to Calendar #459, S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014. The time until 2:10pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees, with each side controlling 5 minutes of the final 10 minutes.

 At 2:10pm, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014.

10:15am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Invoked: 54-43

Cloture was invoked on the White nomination by a vote of 54-43. As a result, at 12:20pm the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nomination.

At 2:10pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014.

12:21pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri;

Confirmed: 53-44

Next:

At 2:10pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014.

2:09pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014;

Not invoked: 57-43

Cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act, by a vote of 56-43. Senator Reid changed his vote to no (for procedural reasons) and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote at a later time. The Senate continues to debate the motion to proceed.

The order with respect to the TRIA legislation has been modified as outlined below. The new agreement reduces the debate time and schedules the votes to begin at 12:00 noon tomorrow, Thursday, July 17.

At 12:00 noon tomorrow, there will be up to 5 votes in relation to the TRIA bill. We anticipate 3 roll call votes (Coburn and Flake amendments and on passage of the bill) and 2 voice votes (Vitter and Tester amendments). We also expect to lock in an agreement to vote in relation to a Circuit judge nomination at 2:00pm tomorrow.

The modification of the agreement is as follows:

Following Leader remarks on Thursday, July 17^th, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.2244 as provided under the previous order; that the debate time with respect to the bill and consideration of the amendments in order to the bill be modified as follows:

Coburn #3549 – 30 minutes equally divided;

Vitter #3550 – 20 minutes equally divided;

Flake #3551 – 10 minutes equally divided; and

Tester #3552 – 30 minutes equally divided.

Further, that any remaining time until 12 noon be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that at noon, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the amendments as provided under the previous order; that upon disposition of the Tester amendment, the bill be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended; further, that there be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote and all after the first vote be ten minute votes; with all other provisions of the previous order remaining in effect.

This evening, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations:

–        Executive Calendar #849, Julie E. Carnes, Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit

–        Executive Calendar #851, Andre Birotte, Jr., of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

–        Executive Calendar #852, Robin L. Rosenberg, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida

–        Executive Calendar #854, John W. deGravelles, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana

We expect to reach an agreement to vote at 2:00pm tomorrow, Thursday, July 17 on the motion to invoke cloture on the Carnes nomination. Another message will be sent once that agreement is reached.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri; Invoked: 54-43
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri; Confirmed: 53-44
3. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act; Not Invoked: 56-43

Legislative Business

S.Res.503, designating September 2014 as “National Child Awareness Month” to promote awareness of charities benefitting children and youth-serving organizations throughout the United States and recognizing efforts made by those charities and organizations on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States

S.Res.504, directing the Senate Legal Counsel to appear as amicus curiae in the name of the Senate in Menachem Binyamin Zivotofsky, By His Parents and Guardians, Ari Z. and Naomi Siegman Zivotofsky v. John Kerry, Secretary of State (S.Ct.).

Passed by voice vote Calendar #450, H.R.3212, Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013

Passed Calendar #458, Passed H.R.1528, Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014

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Last Floor Action:
9:59:35 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 16, 2014.

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The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, July 14, 2014.

Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 12:00 noon, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each and with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The Majority will control the first half and the Republicans will control the final half.

At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes on the following motions:

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Following the cloture vote on the LaFleur nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

If cloture is invoked on either of the nominations, the time from 2:15pm until 3:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 3:00pm, the Senate would proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations.

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

At 12:00 noon today, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes on the following motions:

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

If cloture is invoked on either of the nominations,  at approximately 3:15pm (previously scheduled to begin at 3pm) the Senate would proceed to vote on confirmation of those nominations:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

12:04pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

Invoked: 51-45

Next:

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

3:15pm (if cloture is invoked on either nomination):

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

12:29pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

Invoked: 85-10

The Senate reached an agreement to vote on confirmation of Nealon, Wood, and Jaenichen nominations following the vote on the LaFleur nomination. We expect these 3 nominations to be confirmed by voice votes. As a result, we expect 2 roll call votes and 3 voice votes to begin at approximately 3:15pm today.

3:15pm—2 roll call votes expected:

3:17pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

Confirmed: 52-45

Next:

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (roll call vote)
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #894, James D. Nealon, of New Hampshire, for the rank of Ambassador Extraplenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Honduras (voice vote expected);
3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #704, Robert A. Wood,  of New York, for the rank of Ambassador Extraplenipotentiary of the United States of America to during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament (voice vote expected); and
4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #508, Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., of Kentucky, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration (voice vote expected).

3:44pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #894, James D. Nealon, of New Hampshire, for the rank of Ambassador Extraplenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Honduras (voice vote expected);
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #704, Robert A. Wood,  of New York, for the rank of Ambassador Extraplenipotentiary of the United States of America to during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament (voice vote expected); and
3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #508, Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., of Kentucky, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration (voice vote expected).

The LaFleur nomination was confirmed by a roll call vote of 90-7. The Senate then confirmed the Nealon, Wood, and Jaenichen nominations by voice votes. We expect the next vote to begin around 10:30am tomorrow. That vote would be on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Cloture on Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Invoked: 51-45

Cloture on Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Invoked: 85-10

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #839, Norman C. Bay, of New Mexico, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Confirmed: 52-45

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #842, Cheryl A. LaFleur, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Confirmed: 90-7

Legislative items

Cal. # 461, S.517, Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

The Senate began the Rule 14 process to place the following bills on the calendar:

S.2609, Marketplace and Internet Tax Fairness – Enzi/Durbin

H.R.5021, Highway and Transportation Funding Act

Additional Executive items

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

Executive Calendar #894, James D. Nealon, of New Hampshire, for the rank of Ambassador Extraplenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Honduras

Executive Calendar #704, Robert A. Wood,  of New York, for the rank of Ambassador Extraplenipotentiary of the United States of America to during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament

Executive Calendar #508, Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., of Kentucky, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration

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Last Floor Action:
10:42:50 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action:7/14
10:44:51 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 15, 2014.

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The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, July 14, 2014.

Following any leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 6:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate. The next roll call votes will begin at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 15. Those will be cloture votes on the Bay and LaFleur nominations to be members of the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission.

Today Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. He then filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014. The cloture vote on the White nomination is expected to occur Wednesday morning. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 2 hours for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the White nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578.

WRAP UP

No Roll Call Votes

Legislative items

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2578, Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014

The Senate began the Rule 14 process to place the following bills on the Calendar:

H.R.4718, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and make permanent bonus depreciation.

S.2599, Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act (Klobuchar)

Executive items

Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #850, the nomination of Ronnie L. White, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri

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Last Floor Action:
7:12:09 P.M. -H.R. 5016
GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5016.

Last Floor Action:
12:06:05 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

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The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, July 14, 2014.

 Following any leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 6:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate.

The next roll call votes will begin at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 15.

Those will be cloture votes on the Bay and LaFleur nominations to be members of the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission.

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Last Floor Action:7/10
9:01:31 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – 7/11

The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

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