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Weekend in the US House …


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.

    Pelosi is carrying the gavel used when the House voted to pass Medicare in 1965


    it was provided by Rep. John Dingell, the longest serving member of Congress in history, whose father presided over the Medicare 1965 vote.

    Washington State news …


    Benefits of reform in Washington’s 7th district

    Ending insurance company abuses:
    • Ban discrimination against 8,900 residents with pre-existing conditions
    Guaranteeing affordable coverage options:
    • Tax credits and other assistance for up to 157,000 families and 21,300 small businesses
    • Extend coverage to 29,500 uninsured residents
    Reducing the cost of care:
    • Save 800 families from health care related bankruptcy
    • Full prescription drug coverage for 84,000 seniors on Medicare

    All data obtained from the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    TGIF news … &CSPAN.org live-stream – Huskies and PAC10… now 12


    It’s Friday and the news is good, if you are a Washington State Husky and in the PAC-10… talk about a nail biting game.. the play started out close, then got a little out of hand but ended up close 80-78  with Washington beating out 6th seeded Marquette. It was a game to write home about not giving up and having faith and given the many upsets, it was great to know our kids are going to the next round.   The news about Democrats acting like a Political Party is also becoming exciting… gotta say We the People need to help all Democrats get back into office if voting yes ends up being their Waterloo. In just one example of strange behavior, last night Republican Senator Coburn held a press conference throwing a threat  to hold seats to those who might lose seats looking for a Federal job.   If you listen to the Media and or people on the right, the stakes seem to be high given the HCR  process has taken so long, possibly costing some Democratic seats, which, has been a part of the Republican talking points. Senator Steny Hoyer completely debunked any truth in the efforts of Republicans to skew the CBO score as well as anyone Democratic Senator losing their seat because they are standing up for Americans not the select few who happen to be the upper 2%

    Other News …

    **The Rhode Island teacher involved in the effigy of President Obama was fired previously and this was the teachers response to being fired

    **Dial Rep. McDermott’s office at (202) 225-3106 right away. Folks across the country will be calling, so if you get a busy signal, please try again. Let those in Congress know we will support them because they not only are standing up for Americans but with President Obama
    http://my.barackobama.com/FinalMarchCalls

    **British Airways crew will go out on strike if labor talks fail

    **HEMET, Calif. — Police in this picturesque city in rural Riverside County have been on edge in recent weeks. Someone is trying to kill them. complete article at AP

    **Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) has agreed with House Democratic leaders to eliminate a provision in the reconciliation bill that would’ve given his home state bank, the Bank of North Dakota, an exemption from new federal student loan rules. The provision would’ve allowed the bank to continue lending to students even though the legislation was designed to eliminate lending middlemen.TP

    **Speaker Pelosi stated with truth that the other side will stop at absolutely nothing

    *”Republican lawyers” are already gearing up for a legal challenge against health care reform,” conducting research and drafting arguments for lawsuits that could be filed within days or weeks, particularly if House leaders decide to go forward with a ‘deem & pass’ rule.”TP

    **The Media myth of Obama’s falling poll numbers … complete article is at Media Matters…The release of an Associated Press poll last week that showed President Obama enjoying a healthy job approval rating of 53 percent didn’t generate much news beyond the wire service and produced even less commentary among the media’s chattering class. Then again, neither did another piece of polling news from January, which showed Obama basking in the glow of a 56 percent job approval rating.  The cold shoulder was expected, though. Why? It’s simple: the results didn’t fit the script.  Feeding off right-wing talking points, political journalists love to push the idea that Obama’s polling numbers are in the tank and that he’s fading fast. It’s all part of the preferred, CW narrative that his entire presidency is slipping away. (It must now be “save[d],” according to Newsweek.)


    WHAT’s on CSPAN.org live-stream

    President rallies for health care legislation

    President Obama holds a health care rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Press Sec. Robert Gibbs said yesterday the President postponed his trip to Indonesia and Australia in order to be present for a possible Sunday vote on health care in the House of Representatives.

    Live on C-SPAN3 at 11:30am ET    watch Press Sec. Gibbs Announces Pres. Trip Delayed

    Health Care: House vote probably on Sunday

    Yesterday, the CBO released its cost estimate for the House health care bill. They estimated a 10 year cost of $940 billion and deficit reduction of $138 billion. With the release of the substitute bill, House Rules will meet to discuss rules for the floor debate, which will likely be followed by a Sunday vote in the House.


    Think Tank Discusses Public Policy & Bipartisanship

    The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC), a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy & education organization, holds a discussion examining the partisan divide in Washington politics. Panelists will look at ways to strengthen America’s strategic position in the areas of national security, education, energy and infrastructure.

    Repower America …


    On Monday, Al Gore made an impassioned call-to-arms for a clean energy revolution.

    More than 10,000 supporters like you joined the Vice President on a call to discuss the next steps in our fight for strong climate and clean energy legislation. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown shared his positive perspective on prospects for bill passage in the Senate this spring, the need for grassroots supporters to get involved right now, and the difference you’re already making.

    Listen to highlights from Monday’s call with Al Gore and take action for a clean energy revolution now!

    The U.S. Senate is in the process of drafting clean energy and climate legislation. But with lobbyists from big oil and their front groups whispering in Senators’ ears every day and corporate polluters pouring millions of dollars into ads, we have to fight back with all our strength to make sure we pass a strong bill this year.

    We’ve heard directly from Senate offices that one of the most meaningful and effective ways to deliver a message to our elected officials is with a handwritten letter. And by sending a personal letter, we’re demanding that our Senators respond. Which is why we’ve set an ambitious goal: delivering over 150,000 handwritten letters demanding the Senate pass a strong bill this year!

    Will you take a few minutes to listen to an update from Al Gore and write your Senator a personal, handwritten letter in support of strong clean energy and climate legislation?

    Make it personal. Help us deliver over 150,000 letters for clean  energy.

    http://cpaf.repoweramerica.org/lettersn

    If there’s one thing our elected officials cannot deny, it’s the voice of their constituents.

    Writing these letters is easy and important — and we’ll show you how. We will provide sample letters, talking points, and your Senator’s address — all you need to bring is a passion about the climate crisis and a commitment to America’s clean energy future.

    So please take just a few minutes and write your Senator today.

    Help us reach our goal of 150,000 handwritten letters demanding a strong clean energy and climate bill this year.

    The time is now. The revolution has arrived. And the voice for change is yours.

    So please, make sure our Senators know that this time, it’s personal.

    Thanks for all you do,

    Dave Boundy
    Campaign Manager
    The Climate Protection Action Fund’s Repower America campaign