Be a Seed for Change

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, November 18, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

For the information of all Senators, cloture was filed on the following items on Thursday, November 14^th:

– Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

– H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act; and

– Motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to H.R.3204,the Drug Quality and Security Act is 3:00pm on Monday. The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to H.R.3204 is 4:00pm on Monday.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Robert Wilkins to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

At 5:30pm, there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Wilkins nomination

If cloture is not invoked on the Wilkins nomination,

2) Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act

If cloture is invoked on H.R.3204,

3) Passage of H.R.3204

Upon disposition of H.R.3204,

4) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act.

After the Senate convened today, Senator Reid withdrew the cloture motion on H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act, and the pending motion and amendments. Then the Senate passed H.R.3204 by voice vote.

As a result, there will only be up to 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm tonight. Those votes would be on the following motions:

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; (if cloture is not invoked, then immediately proceed to the next vote)

– Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Not Invoked: 53-38

Senator Reid changed his vote to no (for procedural reasons) and then entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote on the Wilkins nomination.

6:15pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act;

Invoked: 91-0

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent the first amendments in order to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act, be the following:

– Republican Leader, or designees (Guantanamo)

– Democratic side-by-side (Guantanamo)

– Gillibrand, or designee (sexual assault)

– McCaskill-Ayotte (sexual assault)

That no second degree amendments be in order and each amendment be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold. That each side by side be voted on prior to the amendment to which they were offered. That no motions to recommit be in order during the consideration of the bill. Finally, that upon disposition of the amendments, the majority Leader be recognized.

Senator Inhofe objected.

All post-cloture debate time was then yielded back, the Senate adopted the motion to proceed by voice vote, and Senator Reid offered the following amendments:

Reid for Levin amendment #2123 (increase to $5 billion ceiling on general transfer authority of DoD)

Reid for Levin amendment #2124 to #2123 (technical)

Reid motion to recommit S.1197, with instructions (amendment #2125) (date change)

Reid amendment #2126 to #2125 (date change)

Reid amendment #2127 to #2126 (date change)

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 8pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar ##381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Not Invoked: 53-38-1 present

2) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act; Invoked: 91-0

Additional LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.165, calling for the release from prison of former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko in light of the recent European Court of Human Rights Ruling with committee-reported substitute amendments to resolution and the preamble.

Passed S.1545, a bill to extend authorities related to global HIV/AIDS and to promote oversight of United States programs with committee-reported amendments and a Corker-Menendez amendment.

Discharged the Veterans’ Affairs committee and passed S.1471, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the Army to reconsider decisions to inter or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery, and for other purposes with a Sanders amendment.

Adopted S.Res.298, a resolution to authorize testimony, documents, and representation in the United States v. Allen.

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

=======================================

Last Floor Action:
8:43:15 P.M. – The House received a
message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1545 and S. 1471.

Last Floor Action:11/15
2:34:57 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00
p.m. on November 18, 2013.

12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:02:33 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mo Brooks to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:03:21 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on November 18, 2013 at 10:23 a.m. stating that that body had agreed to the House amendments to S. 252.
12:04:12 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:09:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:56 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 18.
2:02:23 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:03:27 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:03:31 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sablan to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:04:00 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:13:15 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
5:00:53 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 18.
5:01:13 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:01:43 P.M.	H.R. 2061	Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2061 — “To expand the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to increase accountability and transparency in Federal spending, and for other purposes.”
5:02:00 P.M.	H.R. 2061	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:02:02 P.M.	H.R. 2061	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2061.

5:14:29 P.M.	H.R. 2061	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.
5:14:42 P.M.	H.R. 3343	Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3343 — “To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to clarify the rules regarding the determination of the compensation of the Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia.”
5:14:55 P.M.	H.R. 3343	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:14:57 P.M.	H.R. 3343	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3343.
5:26:19 P.M.	H.R. 3343	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:27:05 P.M.	H.R. 3487	Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3487 — “To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act to extend through 2018 the authority of the Federal Election Commission to impose civil money penalties on the basis of a schedule of penalties established and published by the Commission, to expand such authority to certain other violations, and for other purposes.”
5:27:12 P.M.	H.R. 3487	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:27:21 P.M.	H.R. 3487	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3487.
5:31:31 P.M.	H.R. 3487	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:32:42 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 25	Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. S. Con. Res. 25 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for activities associated with the ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Native American code talkers.”
5:32:59 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 25	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:33:02 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 25	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. Con. Res. 25.
5:42:58 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 25	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
5:43:33 P.M.	H.R. 272	Mr. Wenstrup moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 272 — “To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense joint outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, as the “General William H. Gourley Federal Outpatient Clinic: A Joint VA-DOD Health Care Facility”.”
5:43:51 P.M.	H.R. 272	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:43:53 P.M.	H.R. 272	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 272.
5:53:05 P.M.	H.R. 272	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.
5:53:24 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on November 18, 2013 at 4:21 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 3204.
5:54:18 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:45 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 18.
6:30:51 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:05 P.M.	H.R. 2061	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2061 — “To expand the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to increase accountability and transparency in Federal spending, and for other purposes.”
6:58:26 P.M.	H.R. 2061	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 – 1 (Roll no. 588).
6:58:34 P.M.	H.R. 272	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 272 — “To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense joint outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, as the “General William H. Gourley Federal Outpatient Clinic: A Joint VA-DOD Health Care Facility”.”
7:06:19 P.M.	H.R. 272	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 – 0 (Roll no. 589).
7:06:26 P.M.	H.R. 272	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
7:07:13 P.M.		Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 419.
7:09:34 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:19:39 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:43:15 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1545 and S. 1471.

9:46:45 P.M.		Mr. Rohrabacher moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:46:54 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:46:55 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2013.

===================================================

It’s been a month since Congress came to its senses and ended the unnecessary federal government shutdown that turned families’ lives upside down and cost our economy millions of lost days of work.

Now it’s time for our lawmakers to – finally – get down to business, and we can make them do it.

As part of the October budget deal that re-opened the federal government, Congress established a joint House-Senate budget committee to find a path forward. The committee is meeting now, and their report is due to the House and Senate by December 13. That gives lawmakers just one month to consider the recommendations of the committee and pass a budget before the short-term continuing resolution expires on January 15, 2014.

December and January might sound far away, but the committee is meeting now and making decisions about the programs we care about now. One decision they should make is to get rid of the misguided across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration, which began in March. The effects of sequestration have been painful so far, and they will only get worse over time. Congress must support a transparent appropriations process that ends sequestration once and for all.

Want to make sure low-income women, infants, and children have access to the food they need?

Want to protect access to services for domestic violence survivors?

Want to stand up for quality public education and safe school climates
free from bullying and harassment?

Then we need to contact our senators today and urge them to pass a budget that ends sequestration once and for all.

Congress should resist calls to enact “flexibility” or exempt defense spending when it comes to sequestration. Congress must end sequestration, period.

The AAUW Action Fund Lobby Corps delivered this message to senators this morning, and now it’s time for you to drive it home. Please, take two minutes to urge your senators to support a transparent appropriations process that ends sequestration!