CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

Eastern Standard Time .. final vote is set for 10pmET

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

12:02 A.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on March 22, 2010. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Conyers moved that the House do now adjourn.

H. Res. 1119:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all people in the United States should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad

11:58 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll No. 169).

11:49 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

11:45 P.M. –

ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE NUMBER OF HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of Rule XX, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Deal, the whole number of the House is 430. The House received a communication from Representative Deal (GA) wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective at 11:45 p.m. on March 21, 2010.

H. Res. 1099:

recognizing the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 – 0 (Roll no. 168). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

11:37 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

11:36 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 4872:

to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On passage Passed by recorded vote: 220 – 211 (Roll no. 167).

11:18 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 199 – 232 (Roll no. 166).

11:03 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

10:52 P.M. –

Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Camp motion to recommit with instructions.

10:50 P.M. –

Mr. Camp moved to recommit with instructions to The Budget.

The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with sundry amendments.

10:49 P.M. –

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1203.

H.R. 3590:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes

10:32 P.M. –

On motion to agree to the Senate amendments Roll Call 165 – Recorded vote pending.

10:31 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. Mr. Spratt moved that the House agree to the Senate amendments.

8:08 P.M. –

WORDS TAKEN DOWN – During the course of debate, exception was taken to certain words used and a demand was made to have words taken down. Mr. Pascrell asked unanimous consent to withdraw the words. Without objection the words were withdrawn. The House resumed debate on H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872.

6:43 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1203, the House is proceeding with 2 hours of debate allotted for the consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872. With respect to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590, the rule makes in order a motion offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House concur in the Senate amendments. If the motion to concur in the Senate amendments is adopted, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4872 under a closed rule. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of H.R. 4872 except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. It provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of the Rules Committee report, modified by the amendment printed in part B of the report, shall be considered as read. The rule provides one motion to recommit H.R. 4872 with or without instructions.

H. Res. 925:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the meritorious service performed by aviators in the United States Armed Forces who were shot down over, or otherwise forced to land in, hostile territory yet evaded enemy capture or were captured but subsequently escaped

6:41 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 – 0 (Roll no. 164).

6:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

6:29 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 206 (Roll no. 163).

6:13 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 202 (Roll no. 162).

6:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 900:

supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 429 – 0 (Roll no. 161).

5:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

5:38 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules and on ordering the previous question and on adoption of H. Res. 1203, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

4:07 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1203 Considered as privileged matter.

4:05 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

Will the House now consider the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 200 (Roll no. 160).

3:04 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Issa raised a point of order against the provisions of H.Res. 1203 on the grounds that it violates clause 9(b) of rule 21. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H.Res. 1203. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.

3:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

Will the House now consider the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 195 (Roll no. 159).

2:16 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Ryan (WI) raised a point of order against the provisions of H.Res. 1203 on the grounds that it violated the Congressional Budget Act. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H.Res. 1203. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.

2:11 P.M. –

By direction of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Slaughter called up H.Res. 1203 and asked for its immediate consideration.

H. Res. 1075:

commending the members of the Agri-business Development Teams of the National Guard for their efforts, together with personnel of the Department of Agriculture and the United States Agency for International Development, to modernize agriculture practices and increase food production in war-torn countries

2:09 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 3 (Roll no. 158). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 1075, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

2:02 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 189 (Roll no. 157).

1:56 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Res. 1174:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month

1:55 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 156).

1:48 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4840:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1979 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, as the “Clarence D. Lumpkin Post Office”

1:47 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 155).

1:22 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4840 and on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 1174. which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

1:06 P.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.

1:05 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

1:04 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Blumenauer demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Blumenauer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

March Madness is now in full effect and will play itself out to it’s final push toward the big dance in April.  Apparently, a lot of upsets on the first day of NCAA play… UW is playing today, Go Huskies.  This week has been crazy and the talk from some has driven many mad as the final push toward one of our most historic life changing efforts to reform health care and insurance company practices.  The great debate or debates about who will vote no and why; can  or do Democrats want to support the President’s agenda or save themselves has gotten way too much media play for my taste, it has changed my thoughts on how honest certain reporters and the cable stations they work for are and just what side of the aisle they represent on any given day or hour in the day; because they shouldn’t be representing a side.  Recently, the President subjected himself to a foxnews interview and was unable to respond to much of what was asked by a reporter who clearly was hostile toward the President. The behavior by the host should be quite an embarrassment to foxnews management; actually, for anyone who works for the Media and calls themselves a reporter and or journalist who intentionally acts with such bad manners. It’s tough waiting for this CBO score and is it just me or has this been a score that seems to be taking much more time than all the others?  are they helping the media hype and anticipation or struggling to get it right because they have a history of having to correct the numbers.  Reports of the President leaving DC before the historic health care reform vote or right after the vote is slightly surprising.  Unfortunately, the need for the President to be here until the HCR bitter end is necessary;  though it does slow down the opportunity for getting other work done in Australia, though this vote is not the last meaningful or historic one, it  should be followed through to the end by the President

Other News …

**Should we Eliminate Saturday Mail Delivery?

**The CBO is a neutral body … both Political Parties use the CBO to get the numbers before votes are taken on financial measures

**Democrats that were against the HCR bill will be holding press conference through out the day, letting the public know what they have decided to do … support the bill or not

**The CBO score has come out and the news is good …CBO cost estimate of the HCR Bill is $940Billion over 10years and trims the deficit by 130Billion in the first 10years and 1.2Trillion in the second 10years  … and look forward to Sunday being the day the final vote

what’s on Cspan.org live-stream today

President Obama signed the HIRE Act, a bill aimed at spurring job growth by encouraging businesses to hire new workers and invest in their companies and communities. He was flanked in the Rose Garden by members of Congress, his Cabinet and economic team, as well as small business owners. Pres. Obama HIRE Act Bill Signing

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced that President Obama has delayed his trip to Indonesia and Australia in order to be around for final votes on health care legislation in the House and Senate. The President had been scheduled to leave on Sunday, the same day the House is expected to take up the measure. White House Press Briefing

Dems Wait on CBO estimate for health care bill, possible weekend vote

While House leadership waits for the CBO to release its cost estimate for the revised health legislation, they indicated that a draft of the bill will be available for review 72 hours prior to any floor vote. Lawmakers are anticipating possible weekend votes. Yesterday, Rep. Kucinich (D-OH) stated that he would vote for the health care bill.  The CBO has released a cost estimate for health care legislation indicating that the bill is expected to cost $940 billion and reduce the deficit by $138 billion over 10 years. Also, the White House announced that Pres. Obama will reschedule his foreign travel until June.

CBO cost estimate
Text of Health care legislation
Dem Leaders: From Earlier GOP Brief: From Earlier
C-SPAN Health Care Hub

GOP Meeting: Begins Shortly on c-span.org
Rep. Kucinich on H.C. Vote: (3/17)
C-SPAN Health Care Hub
The Hill: Dems try to build on momentum

Secret Service Focus of House Hearing

U.S. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan will testify about the President’s FY 2011 budget request for the Secret Service. House Appropriations Cmte. members are expected to question Dir. Sullivan on the White House State Dinner security breaches. Rep. David Price (D-NC) chairs the Appropriations Subcmte. on Homeland Security.

House Approps.: From Earlier
Politico: Secret Service defends funding

Obama Social Secretary Ran Into Sharp Elbows

Postmaster Suggests no Saturday delivery, new rates

Postmaster Gen. John Potter recently said that the postal service needs to eliminate Saturday mail delivery and close some post office branches in order to remain financially viable. Today, he appears before the Senate Appropriations Cmte. to make additional cost savings measures and discuss his FY2011 budget.

USPS Hearing: From Earlier USPS Conference (3/2)