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Congress: debates & votes Today … -the Republican led House -the Senate …SBIR and S.493 STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011


The Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET March 14, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 4:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive session to consider the nomination of calendar #10, the nomination of James Boasberg, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. There will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided prior to a vote on the nomination.

Votes:

39: Confirmation of the nomination of James Boasberg, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of ColumbiA;

Confirmed: 96-0

40: Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.493, SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011

Invoked: 84-12.

This is the last vote of the day.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.100, Designating March 11, 2011, as “World Plumbing Day”.

Adopted S.Res.101, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 14, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

8:58 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 15, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

8:57 P.M. –

Mrs. Christensen moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:03 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.

7:02 P.M. –

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

H. Con. Res. 27:

providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol

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): 396 – 0 (Roll no. 176).

6:55 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:54 P.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence for all those who have perished in the aftermath of the devastating Earthquake and Tsunami that hit the nation of Japan.

H.R. 793:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Inverness, California, as the “Specialist Jake Robert Velloza Post Office”

6:53 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): 394 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 175).

6:52 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:31 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.

Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 167.

6:30 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.

5:36 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

H. Con. Res. 27:

providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol

5:35 P.M. –

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.

5:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 27.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 793:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Inverness, California, as the “Specialist Jake Robert Velloza Post Office”

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.

5:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 793.

Mr. Ross (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

5:02 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.

2:05 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

2:02 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

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

2:01 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Campbell 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. Campbell objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.

12:07 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:00 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable John Campbell to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Tell the EPA: Don’t Delay -a word from RepoWer America


I’m Christina Simeone, Policy Director here at Repower America, and I wanted to share an important piece of news with you.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to limit global warming pollution from big fossil fuel industries like power plants and petroleum refineries. These industries alone account for about 40% of the global warming pollution in the U.S. — making them the two largest sources of emissions.

Here’s where you come in. The EPA is charged with developing rules called New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) that will protect public health, reduce the pollution that causes climate change, and send a signal to polluters that they need to invest in clean energy technologies.

It’s crucial that the EPA sticks to its schedule and develops strong rules. Between now and March 18, the EPA is accepting comments on their plans. They will definitely be receiving comments from the coal, gas and oil industries. Make sure they hear from you, too.

http://www2.repoweramerica.org/page/m/396e8deb/6fdeebac/54344aa/19ba7686/1427535023/VEsF/

These rules are common sense. The EPA was created to understand our impact on our environment and protect the health of our people. An overwhelming majority of scientists are united in their understanding of the effects of global warming pollution and the EPA is charged with developing rules based on that science. Yet strong special interest groups are working to derail that process.

The EPA needs to hear that you support their efforts to limit global warming pollution from these industries. That’s why you need to encourage the EPA to issue strong New Source Performance Standards without delay.

The science is clear: Climate change is happening. Unfortunately, big polluters will make big profits if they mislead the American public about that fact. We need you to counteract and counterbalance their money and their voice by sending a comment to the EPA today.

Fill out the form below, and we’ll deliver your comment to the EPA before the March 18 deadline:

http://www2.repoweramerica.org/page/m/396e8deb/6fdeebac/54344aa/19ba7686/1427535023/VEsC/

Thanks,

Christina Simeone

Policy Director

Repower America

Tell Senate Democrats: Stand up to Republican budget cuts


Right now, Republicans are trying to cut programs that provide access to basic health care, housing assistance and job training. For many families, what happens could mean the difference between stability and homelessness, or life and death.

The GOP‘s war on Black, poor and working folks is bad enough. But as we’ve seen in the past, Democrats often refuse to fight for us. If that happens this time, the most vulnerable among us will be left in the cold while the wealthiest Americans continue to receive massive tax breaks.

Please click the link below to demand that Democrats defend the programs we need, not use them as bargaining chips as they negotiate with Republicans. Then ask your friends and family to do the same. It only takes a moment:

www.colorofchange.org

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are in a battle over the government’s budget. Congress has reached a deal to keep the government from shutting down for the next week while it negotiates a longer-term spending bill.1 While that short-term deal cuts some important funding for education and transportation, the truly devastating cuts are being debated now.2

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has proposed a plan to cut $61 billion from the budget, and many of their proposed cuts target services crucial to our communities’ well being. If Democratic leadership in the Senate and President Obama don’t commit to looking out for our interests this month, Black and low income communities will sink even deeper into economic crisis. Here’s what’s at stake:

Federal grants that help cities create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods would be cut. The Republican plan calls for cutting $2.5 billion in Community Development Block Grants, a 62% reduction nationwide. Cities use these funds to do things like provide affordable housing, expand business opportunities and support a range of services for low- and middle-income folks.3

Low-cost access to reproductive health will be seriously undermined. The GOP’s plan calls specifically for defunding Planned Parenthood nationwide, which means that pre-natal care, cervical cancer screenings and testing for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections will move out of reach for people who can’t afford it or whose insurance doesn’t cover these vital services. As our families know well, Planned Parenthood offers a range of life-saving care. It’s the largest family planning provider in the country, offering the birth control that makes needing to make the difficult choice of having an abortion less likely.4

Half of the budget for a program that helps low-income people heat and cool their homes will be wiped out. Given these tough economic times, the number of people using the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is on the rise. More than 8 million households used it in 2010, up from 7.7 million and 5.8 million during the previous two years. President Obama has himself suggested cuts to this program, and we need him to change course. 5

The Women Infants and Children (WIC) program would face severe cuts. The budget for this key service providing baby formula, food and other services to poor women and their children would be cut by 10%.6

AmeriCorps will shut its doors. The national service program trains and places hardworking young people in jobs in our communities. Its 83,000 members work at places like Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Clubs teaching, mentoring, and building homes among other crucial jobs.7

The list doesn’t end there. If Senate Democrats and President Obama don’t stand strong, we could see $1 billion cut from Head Start programs, nearly $6 billion cut from the need-based Pell Grant program that gives our young people access to higher education, and other cuts to elder and child care, job training, transportation and health programs that help our families stay afloat.8

Please join us in calling on Democratic leaders to stand up for our communities in the current budget battle. And when you do, please ask your family and friends to do the same. It only takes a moment.

Thanks and Peace,

www.colorofchange.org

— James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

March 10th, 2011

Bankrate.com


Here are stories published today

CD rates for March 10, 2011 | 2011-03-11

Here are the average CD rates from Bankrate‘s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/cd/national-cd-rates-for-march-10-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

Make the most of a debt consolidation loan | 2011-03-11

A debt consolidation loan can turn around your financial life, if you know how to avoid the traps.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/debt/first-steps-to-a-debt-consolidation-loan.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

Home equity loan rates for March 10, 2011 | 2011-03-11

Here are the average home equity rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/home-equity/national-home-equity-loan-rates-for-march-10-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

Auto loan rates for March 10, 2011 | 2011-03-11

Here are the average auto loan rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/national-auto-loan-rates-for-march-10-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

National mortgage rates for March 10, 2011 | 2011-03-11

See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/interest-rate-roundup-for-march-10-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

Debt woes may impact couple’s joint assets | 2011-03-11

When dealing with debt issues, determine how your spouse’s credit and assets could be affected.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/debt/debt-woes-may-imperil-spouse-s-assets.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

Credit card interest rates for March 10, 2011 | 2011-03-11

Here are the average credit card rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/national-credit-card-rates-for-march-10-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110310

what’s going on in Congress …Republican led House eliminates FHA


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 11, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

3:38 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 14, 2011.

3:37 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 11.

3:02 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

3:01 P.M. –

The House received a communication from Darrell E. Issa, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. On March 3, 2011, Chairman Issa had notified the House formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform had been served with a subpoena for documents issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in a case pending before that Court. The notification referenced the pending case as a civil case, but was in fact a criminal case.

2:06 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

1:05 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, March 11, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 836:

to rescind the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and to terminate the program

12:33 P.M. –

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 830.

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

12:32 P.M. –

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 242 – 177 (Roll no. 174).

12:26 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 238 (Roll no. 173).

12:10 P.M. –

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

11:57 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with amendments which provide a continuation of the provisions of the program for military veteran homeowners.

11:56 A.M. –

Mr. Connolly (VA) moved to recommit with instructions to Financial Services.

Mr. Connolly (VA) moved to recommit the bill, H.R. 836, to the Committee on Financial Services with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: ¢ In section 3(b), before “shall continue” insert the foloowing: “, and an y amounts made available for use under such Program pursuant to subsection (d),”. ***

11:55 A.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

11:54 A.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 836.

On agreeing to the Waters amendment Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 237 (Roll no. 172).

11:32 A.M. –

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

11:24 A.M. –

Mr. Hensarling raised a point of order against the Sanchez, Loretta amendment Mr. Hensarling stated that the provisions of the amendment exceed the scope of the bill and the amendment is therefore,not germane. The Chair sustained the point of order.

11:19 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 151, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Loretta Sanchez amendment number 7 under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Sanchez, Loretta.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to provide that the bill take effect on the first date occurring after enactment on which the Current Population Survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Labor Department, as released monthly, identifies that the unemployment rate for the United States is equal to 7.5% or less.

11:18 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waters amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Waters demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:49 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 151, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Waters amendment number 4 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record to direct Housing and Urban Development Department to publish on its website, no later than five days after the bill’s enactment, to “contact your Member of Congress for assistance.”

10:48 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Neugebauer amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:46 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 151, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Neugebauer amendment number 3 under the five-minute rule.

10:45 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Neugebauer.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to include m ilitary servicemembers and veterans who have service-related injuries, as well as survivors and dependents of such individuals, in a study on use of the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program.

On agreeing to the Canseco amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:26 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 151, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Canseco amendment number 5 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Canseco.

An amendment numbered 5 printed in the Congressional Record to provide that all unexpended balances rescinded and permanently canceled by the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program’s termination be retained in the General Fund of the Treasury for reducing the federal government debt.

9:13 A.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 836.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Lynn A. Westmoreland to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 151 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 836 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 151.

9:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

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

9:01 A.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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The Senate will Convene on March 14, 2011 at  2:00pm

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 4:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive session to consider the nomination of calendar #10, the nomination of James Boasber, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. There will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided prior to a vote on the nomination.

Votes:

Senators should expect 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm in relation to the following items:

– Confirmation of the nomination of James Boasber, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia, and

– Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.493, SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011.