the Senate ~~~ CONGRESS 11/18 ~~~ the House


 

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The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. There will be up to 6 hours of debate equally divided between opponents and proponents.

If all debate time is used, at approximately 6:15pm, the Senate will proceed to up to 5 roll call votes, with up to 30 minutes of debate after the vote on the Ross nomination and before the cloture vote on the USA Freedom Act.

6:15pm—5 roll call votes:

  1. Passage of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline [60-vote threshold];
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #856, Leslie Joyce Abrams, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #857, Mark Howard Cohen, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #858, Eleanor Louise Ross, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;
  5. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2685, the USA Freedom Act.

 

When the Senate recessed for the caucus luncheons, there were approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes of debate time remaining (Boxer controls 73 minutes, Landrieu controls 33 minutes, and Hoeven controls 89 minutes). If all time is used and no time is added, the series of 5 roll call votes (4 roll calls, 5 voice votes, 30 minutes of debate, cloture vote on MTP to USA FREEDOM) would begin at approximately 5:30pm this evening.

5:30pm—5 roll call votes:

  1. Passage of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline [60-vote threshold];
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #856, Leslie Joyce Abrams, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #857, Mark Howard Cohen, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #858, Eleanor Louise Ross, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;

* 5 voice votes to confirm ambassadors

* Up to 30 minutes for debate

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2685, the USA Freedom Act.

Prior to the 30 minutes for debate, we there will be a series of voice votes to confirm the Basset, Bernicat, Zumwalt, Allen, and Roebuck nominations (to be ambassadors).

5 Voice Votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #927 Leslie Ann Bassett – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Paraguay;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #954 Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1047 James Peter Zumwalt – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Senegal and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1048 Craig B. Allen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam;
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1052 William V. Roebuck – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain

The series of tonight’s votes is now expected to begin closer to 5:55pm.

 

The time until 5:45pm will be equally divided between Senators Boxer, Landrieu and Hoeven, or their designees. At 5:45pm, Senator Hoeven will be recognized for 2 minutes for closing remarks, then Senator Landrieu will be recognized for 2 minutes, and then Senator Boxer will be recognized for up to 4 minutes. Upon conclusion of Senator Boxer’s remarks, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone Pipeline.

 

Approx. 5:53pm—5 roll call votes:

  1. Passage of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline [60-vote threshold];
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #856, Leslie Joyce Abrams, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #857, Mark Howard Cohen, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #858, Eleanor Louise Ross, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;

* 5 voice votes to confirm ambassadors

* Up to 30 minutes for debate

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2685, the USA Freedom Act.

 

Prior to the 30 minutes for debate, we there will be a series of voice votes to confirm the Basset, Bernicat, Zumwalt, Allen, and Roebuck nominations (to be ambassadors).

 

5 Voice Votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #927 Leslie Ann Bassett – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Paraguay;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #954 Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1047 James Peter Zumwalt – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Senegal and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1048 Craig B. Allen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam;
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1052 William V. Roebuck – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain

 

5:55pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline [60-vote threshold];

Not Passed: 59-41

 

CORRECTION: Senator Vitter objected to the Boxer request to allow for the EPW committee to meet today.

 

Next:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #856, Leslie Joyce Abrams, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #857, Mark Howard Cohen, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #858, Eleanor Louise Ross, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia;

* 5 voice votes to confirm ambassadors (Basset, Bernicat, Zumwalt, Allen, and Roebuck)

* Up to 30 minutes for debate

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2685, the USA Freedom Act.

 

Prior to the 30 minutes for debate, we there will be a series of voice votes to confirm the Basset, Bernicat, Zumwalt, Allen, and Roebuck nominations (to be ambassadors).

 

5 Voice Votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #927 Leslie Ann Bassett – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Paraguay;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #954 Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1047 James Peter Zumwalt – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Senegal and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1048 Craig B. Allen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam;
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1052 William V. Roebuck – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain

6:27pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #856, Leslie Joyce Abrams, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia;

Confirmed: 100-0

The Cohen, Ross, Basset, Bernicat, Zumwalt, Allen, and Roebuck nominations were confirmed by voice votes. There will now be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to 2685, the USA Freedom Act. Some of the time may be yielded back.

7:26pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2685, USA FREEDOM Act;

Not invoked: 58-42

There will be no further roll call votes during Tuesday’s session of the Senate.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Passage of S.2280, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline; Not Passed: 59-41.
  2. Confirmation of Leslie Joyce Abrams, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia; Confirmed: 100-0.
  3. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2685, the USA Freedom Act; Not Invoked: 58-42.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.577: Holiday Season Charitable Collections in Senate Buildings

Executive Business

Confirmed the following by voice vote:

  1. Mark Howard Cohen, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia
  2. Eleanor Louise Ross, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia
  3. Leslie Ann Bassett, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Paraguay
  4. Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, to be Ambassador to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
  5. James Peter Zumwalt, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
  6. Craig B. Allen, to be Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam
  7. William V. Roebuck, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain

 

 

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Last Floor Action:
5:45:38 P.M. -H.R. 1422
On motion to recommit with instructions Roll Call 524 – Recorded vote pending.

Last Floor Action:
11:05:12 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:
8:27:27 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 18, 2014.

10:00:26 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:33 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Glenn Thompson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:47 A.M. MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:05:12 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

 

12:00:18 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 18.
12:00:23 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Arne Panula, Catholic Information Center, Washington, DC.
12:01:45 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:50 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Thompson of PA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:10 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:20:10 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on November 18, 2014 at 9:45 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. Res. 579. relative to the death of Howard O. Greene, Jr.
12:20:22 P.M. H. Res. 756 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 756 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1422) to amend the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to provide for Scientific Advisory Board member qualifications, public participation, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4012) to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent or reproducible; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4795) to promote new manufacturing in the United States by providing for greater transparency and timeliness in obtaining necessary permits, and for other purposes; and providing for proceedings during the period from November 21, 2014, through November 28, 2014.”
12:27:19 P.M. H. Res. 756 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 756.
1:23:46 P.M. H. Res. 756 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 190 (Roll no. 521).
1:31:21 P.M. H. Res. 756 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 192 (Roll no. 522).
1:31:22 P.M. H. Res. 756 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:35:37 P.M. H.R. 1422 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 756. H.R. 1422 — “To amend the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to provide for Scientific Advisory Board member qualifications, public participation, and for other purposes.”
1:35:42 P.M. H.R. 1422 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012, and H.R. 4795. General debate is limited to 1 hour for each bill. The resolution specifies certain amendments are in order for H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012, and H.R. 4795. One motion to recommit with instructions is permitted for each bill.
1:37:00 P.M. H.R. 1422 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1422.
2:29:09 P.M. H.R. 1422 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, further proceedings on H.R. 1422 had been postponed.
2:29:57 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
5:01:23 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 18.
5:01:26 P.M. H.R. 1422 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1422 — “To amend the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to provide for Scientific Advisory Board member qualifications, public participation, and for other purposes.”
5:02:05 P.M. H.R. 1422 An amendment, offered by Mr. Stewart, numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 113-626 to make technical changes to conform with recent amendments to the underlying statute. The amendment also reiterates the independence of the Science Advisory Board and clarifies pre-existing language.
5:02:10 P.M. H.R. 1422 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Stewart Part A amendment No. 1.
5:07:58 P.M. H.R. 1422 The previous question was ordered on the amendment (A002) without objection.
5:35:22 P.M. H.R. 1422 On agreeing to the Stewart amendment; Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 523).
5:37:04 P.M. H.R. 1422 Mr. Maloney, Sean moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
5:37:17 P.M. H.R. 1422 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sean Maloney motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prohibit people from serving on the Science Advisory Board if they represent a corporation or a trade association with a financial interest in the outcome of the Boards decisions. The reservation of the point of order was subsequently withdrawn.
5:45:33 P.M. H.R. 1422 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:45:38 P.M. H.R. 1422 On motion to recommit with instructions Roll Call 524 – Recorded vote pending.

 

5:53:39 P.M. H.R. 1422 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 195 – 225 (Roll no. 524).
6:02:17 P.M. H.R. 1422 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 – 191 (Roll no. 525).
6:02:19 P.M. H.R. 1422 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:04:09 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:10:37 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:13:10 P.M. Mr. Rice (SC) moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:13:17 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:13:18 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2014.

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Alma Adams … goes to Washington


by OnPolitics Featured Image

Record-setting 100th woman in Congress takes oath today

When Alma Adams takes the oath of office Wednesday, the North Carolina Democrat will set a new record and become the 100th woman to serve in this current Congress. 401 more words

This Month’s Jobs Numbers


The White House Sunday, July 06, 2014

You might be seeing a lot of news about the economy creating more jobs.

That’s because at the beginning of every month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases a report on our country’s general employment situation for the previous month — and this month’s showed good news.

What’s it all mean, and why should you care?

There’s still much more to do to keep moving forward, but we’ve put together a few key points about how our economy is doing generally. Take a look — and if you learn something new, pass it on.

Our country hasn’t seen this kind of job creation since the 1990s — and we’ve been adding more than 200,000 jobs a month for five months straight.

The 1.4 million jobs added in the first half of this year are the most in any half since 1999. What’s more, this is the first time since September 1999-January 2000 that we’ve seen total job growth above 200,000 for five straight months.

GIF: Here's what our jobs growth looks like.

Auto sales in June are also the highest they’ve been since mid-2006 — before the financial crisis.

Let’s not forget that the American auto industry is continuing to bounce back — adding 18,000 jobs this past month for a total of 463,000 jobs added since Chrysler and GM came out of bankruptcy in June 2009.

Employment in Motor Vehicles and Parts Manufacturing and Sales

Meanwhile, we’re continuing to produce more oil at home than we’re importing from overseas.

In addition to doubling renewable electricity generation from sources like wind and solar, last October something big happened: For the first time in nearly two decades, we started importing less foreign oil than we were producing at home.

U.S. Crude Oil Production and Net Imports

It’s progress — but we’ve still got work to do.

Want a more in-depth look at what the jobs numbers mean, complete with more charts, numbers, and economist-speak?

Take a look at this post from Jason Furman, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

And if you’re looking for more great charts and infographics related to the economy, visit our Shareables hub.

make sure the Senate vote on the Keystone XL pipeline is … NO


In the next few days, the U.S. Senate is set to vote on the Keystone XL pipeline, and we need to make sure your senators vote no.
The Keystone XL pipeline is a bad deal for the United States. The pipeline would mean millions of tons of new carbon pollution entering the air, and could also mean dozens of newly polluted waterways and poisoned communities all across the Midwest. The impact on the climate would be catastrophic — the equivalent of seven coal-fired power plants operating continuously for 50 years.
The fight against climate change is the fight of our generation. No elected official can claim to be on the right side of that fight if they vote to approve Keystone XL.
Tell your senators to oppose any bill that would approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
Keystone XL will carry more than 800,000 barrels of dangerous tar sands through America’s heartlands. We know the pipeline will endanger our health, climate, and national security, while displacing American families for the benefit of a foreign oil company.
That is the future Big Oil has in mind, but it’s what we’re fighting to prevent. And it’s why you need to ask your senators to vote no.
Tell your senators to reject Keystone XL:
http://action.nextgenclimate.org/no-kxl
Thanks,
Thomas Steyer
NextGen Climate

a message from Gov.Inslee


JayInsleeThe votes are in, and one thing is absolutely clear: I still need your help to build a working Washington. I’m going on offense

 

All the way up to Election Day, we fought off an incredible onslaught of false attacks by opponents who hoped to erase the progress we’ve made together.

When I emailed you last week, my colleagues and I were still fighting to make sure every vote was counted. Today, we know for certain that we continue to hold a majority in the state House, we re-elected every one of our Democratic members of Congress, we made history by passing legislation to require background checks for gun sales, and we made gains in county elections across the state.

Now it’s time for us to move forward.

Help me prepare to fight off the next round of attacks and continue to build a working Washington. Click here to contribute $5 now.

Now that we’ve seen the election results, the good news is that we held our ground. The bad news is that, with Republicans continuing to hold control of the Senate, we’re going to have to continue fighting just as hard just to maintain the status quo — and even harder to make any progress.

I don’t know about you, but I’m done playing defense and ready to go on offense. I’m going to spend the next two years fighting harder than ever to fully fund our schools, create new jobs, repair our roads and bridges, and build a clean energy future — and I hope you’ll be right there with me.

Click here to contribute $5 and help me continue to move our state forward.

Thanks for standing with me once again.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

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