Will Common Sense Prevail? After hearing Ted Cruz and seeing Mitch McConnell with a rifle -NO!

 #Midterms2014Matter

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, March 6, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session with the time until 11:20am equally divided and controlled between Senators Menendez and Corker or their designees.

At 11:20am, there will be up to 3 roll call votes in relation to the following:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #636, Rose Eilene Gottemoeller, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #510, Suzanne Eleanor Spaulding, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #511, John Roth, of Michigan, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security.

There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote and all votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

 Following disposition of the Roth nomination and the resumption of Legislative Session, the Senate will execute the previous order with respect to the military sexual assault bills. There will be up to 2 hours of debate on S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 (Gillibrand) and S.1917, the Victims Protection Act of 2014 (McCaskill) equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (around 2:00pm if all time is used), there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

–         Motion to invoke cloture on S.1752 (Gillibrand)

–        If cloture is invoked on S.1752, passage of S.1752

–        Upon disposition of S.1752 or if cloture is not invoked on S.1752, the next vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1917 (McCaskill) and

–        If cloture is invoked on S.1917, passage of S.1917.

No amendments, points of order or motions are in order to the bill prior to the vote on passage. If the motion to invoke cloture on either S.1752 or S.1917 is not agreed to, each bill will be returned to the calendar.

 We also expect to consider additional nominations during Thursday’s session, which may require roll call votes.

As a reminder, at 11:20am today, there will be up to 3 roll call votes in relation to the following Executive nominations:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #636, Rose Eilene Gottemoeller, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #510, Suzanne Eleanor Spaulding, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (expect voice vote); and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #511, John Roth, of Michigan, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security (expect voice vote).

Further, there will be an additional series of up to 8 votes this afternoon at approximately 2:00pm. Those votes will be on the following items related to the military sexual assault bills and Executive nominations:

–     Motion to invoke cloture on S.1752, Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 (Gillibrand)

–     If cloture is invoked on S.1752, passage of S.1752

–     Upon disposition of S.1752 or if cloture is not invoked on S.1752, the next vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1917, Victims Protection Act of 2014 (McCaskill)

–     If cloture is invoked on S.1917, passage of S.1917

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #504, Kathryn D. Sullivan, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Atmosphere (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #513, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, of Missouri, to be a member of the United States International Trade Commission (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calenadr #640, R. Gil Kerkowske, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #547, Michael A. Hammer, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile (expect voice vote)

There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote and all votes after the first vote in each series will be 10 minutes in duration. We hope to confirm the Roth, Sullivan, Schmidtlein, Kerkowske, and Hammer nominations by voice vote.

This morning, Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.R.3521, the Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013.

Senator Sanders objected to Senator Vitter’s request on the basis that the bill and many other significant provisions are included in S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

The unofficial transcript of the exchange is below.

{09:59:08} (MR. VITTER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE SECOND NATIONAL AND LOUISIANA ISSUE I WANT TO DISCUSS HAS TO DO

WITH VETERANS AND VETERANS HEALTH CARE WHICH WE’VE BEEN TALKING

ABOUT ON THE SENATE FLOOR FOR SOME TIME NOW. SPECIFICALLY, THE

NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH 27 FULLY APPROVED, FULLY AUTHORIZED

V.A. COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS THAT HAVE BEEN STALLED BECAUSE OF

BUREAUCRATIC PROBLEMS. NOW THESE — AGAIN, THESE CLINICS ARE

AROUND THE COUNTRY. TWO ARE IN LOUISIANA, ONE IN LAFAYETTE, ONE

IN LAKE CHARLES. THESE CLINICS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE V.A.,

HAVE BEEN IN THEIR PLAN FOR SOME TIME. THEY ARE FULLY

AUTHORIZED. WE THOUGHT THEY WERE FULLY PAID FOR UNTIL, FIRST,

THE V.A. MADE SOME BUREAUCRATIC MISTAKES TO DELAY THE LAKE

CHARLES AND LAFAYETTE CLINICS IN PARTICULAR, AND THEN OUT OF

THE BLUE THE C.B.O. CHANGED WAIT THEY SCORE ALL OF THESE

CLINICS AND ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND CREATED ANOTHER

BUREAUCRATIC HURDLE. MR. PRESIDENT, AGAIN THE GOOD NEWS IS WE

CAME TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND HAVE A SOLUTION TO THOSE

PURELY BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES SO THAT ALL OF THESE CLINICS CAN

MOVE FORWARD EXPEDITIOUSLY.

BILL THAT WOULD DO THAT, THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THESE

BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES. THEY PASSED IT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR BY

A WHOPPING BIPARTISAN MARGIN. AND SO I COME TO THE FLOOR, MR.

PRESIDENT, URGING ALL OF US TO DO THE SAME. SPECIFICALLY, I

HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE BILL THAT ALSO MAKES IT EVEN MORE

FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE BY HAVING A PAY-FOR FOR ANY CONCEIVABLE

COST TO THIS BILL, AND THAT IS WHAT MY AMENDMENT WOULD DO. NOW,

THIS V.A. CLINIC LEGISLATION WAS IN THE SANDERS VETERANS BILL

LAST WEEK, AND IT WAS IN THE BURR ALTERNATIVE. IT WAS IN BOTH

THE DEMOCRATIC AND THE REPUBLICAN VETERANS PACKAGES. NEITHER OF

THOSE PACKAGES PASSED. THE SANDERS BILL WAS DEFEATED ON A

BUDGET POINT OF ORDER, WHICH I SUPPORTED, BECAUSE I DON’T THINK

IT’S PROPERLY PAID FOR AND IS SUSTAINABLE BOTH IN TERMS OF OUR

BUDGET AND, EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR VETERANS, HOW THE VETERAN

SYSTEM WORKS AND HANDLES ITS CURRENT PATIENT LOAD. THE BURR

BILL NEVER EVEN GOT A VOTE. WE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT THOSE

LARGER PACKAGES. THOSE ARE REAL SUBSTANTIAL DISAGREEMENTS. BUT

IN THE MIDST OF THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD HOPE WE CAN AGREE

TO WHAT WE CAN AGREE ON. AND THESE V. CLINICS CERTAINLY — AND

THESE V.A. CLINICS CERTAINLY FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY. WE HAVE

CLEARED ALL OBJECTIONS TO THIS V.A. CLINIC PIECE SPECIFICALLY.

WE HAVE ADDRESSED ALL ISSUES HAVING TO DO WITH THESE V.A.

CLINICS, IN PART THROUGH MY AMENDMENT AT THE DESK. THE ONLY

POSSIBLE OBJECTION I KNOW OF IS THE FACT THAT A LARGER PACKAGE

IS NOT PASSIBLE. WELL, I UNDERSTAND THEIR BIG ARGUMENTS ABOUT

THAT LARGER PACKAGE. THOSE ARE LEGITIMATE DIFFERENCES OF

OPINION. I DON’T THINK THAT SHOULD STAND IN THE WAY OF US

AGREEING TO WHAT WE CAN AGREE ON AND MOVE FORWARD WITH AN

IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE, WHICH

ARE THESE 27 COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND IN

THAT SPIRIT, MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD A ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT

AGREEMENT WHEREBY WE WOULD TAKE UP THE HOUSE-PASSED BILL.

AGAIN, THIS HOUSE-PASSED BILL WAS ACTUALLY ON THE CONSENT

CALENDAR, PASSED WITH A WHOPPING BIPARTISAN MAJORITY. WE WOULD

ADOPT MY AMENDMENT AT THE DESK, WHICH ADDRESSES SOME FISCAL

CONCERNS WITH THE BILL, AND WE WOULD PASS IT THROUGH THE

PROCESS. THIS WOULD BE OUR COMING TOGETHER, AGREEING WHAT WE

CAN AGREE ON. THAT’S WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT US TO DO AS

WE WORK ON ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF HEALTH CARE AND VETERANS

BENEFITS COVERED BY BOTH THE BURR AND THE SANDERS BILLS DEBATED

LAST WEEK. AND SO, MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT

THE SENATE PROCEED TO THE IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF H.R.3521,

WHICH WAS RECEIVED FROM THE HOUSE; THAT MY AMENDMENT, WHICH IS

AT THE DESK, BE AGREED TO; THAT THE BILL AS AMENDED BE READ A

THIRD TIME AND PASSED AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON

THE TABLE.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?

MR. SANDERS: MR. PRESIDENT, RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT –

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT.

MR. SANDERS: MR. PRESIDENT, I THANK VERY MUCH MY COLLEAGUE FROM

LOUISIANA BRINGING FORTH THIS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

SENATOR MARY LANDRIEU FROM LOUISIANA HAS ALSO RAISED THIS

ISSUE, AS HAVE MANY COLLEAGUES. AND MY FRIEND FROM LOUISIANA IS

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND THIS IS AN

ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PASSED. BUT I WOULD SAY TO MY FRIEND FROM

LOUISIANA THAT LAST WEEK WE BROUGHT FORTH THE MOST

COMPREHENSIVE VETERANS LEGISLATION IN THE MODERN HISTORY OF THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THAT LEGISLATION DEALT WITH MANY,

MANY ISSUES RAISED BY VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS WHO REPRESENT

MILLIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE

TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY. LET ME VERY BRIEFLY, MR. PRESIDENT –

VERY BRIEFLY — TOUCH ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES INCLUDED IN THIS

COMPREHENSIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT LACKED THREE VOTES. WE

GOT 56 VOTES. ONE SENATOR WAS ABSENT, WOULD HAVE VOTED. WE NEED

THREE VOTES TO PASS THIS. THIS WOULD HAVE ADDRESSED SOME OF THE

SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE CLAIMS BACKLOG. IT WOULD HAVE ADDRESSED

THE CRISIS OF ADVANCED APPROPRIATIONS TO MAKE SURE IF THERE IS

EVER AGAIN ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, NO VETERAN — DISABLED

VETERAN, NO VETERAN ON A PENSION WOULD NOT GET THEIR CHECK.

THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDED AN ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT PROVISION

EXPANDING THE CAREGIVERS’ PROGRAM SO THAT WIVES AND SISTERS AND

BROTHERS TAKING CARE OF DISABLED VETS FINALLY GET THE ATTENTION

THEY DESERVE. THAT LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE ADDRESSED A TERRIBLE

PROBLEM FACING SOME 2,300 FAMILIES TODAY WHERE MEN AND WOMEN

WERE INJURED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, NO LONGER CAN HAVE

BABIES, AND THEY WANT HELP THROUGH IN VITRO FERTILIZATION OR

OTHER PROCESSES, OR ADOPTION, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FAMILIES. THIS

ADDRESSED THE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MANY OF OUR YOUNG MEN

AND WOMEN ARE NOT GETTING THE EDUCATION THEY NEED BECAUSE

STATES ARE NOT ALLOWING THEM TO GET IN-STATE TUITION, AND IT

ADDRESSED MANY, MANY OTHER CRISIS, WHICH IS WHY THAT

LEGISLATION HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, VETERANS OF

FOREIGN WARS, THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, THE VIETNAM

VETERANS OF AMERICA, THE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF

AMERICA, AND IN FACT VIRTUALLY EVERY VETERANS ORGANIZATION IN

THE COUNTRY. SO LET ME SAY TO THIS MY FRIEND FROM LOUISIANA,

AND I SAY THIS SINCERELY: WHAT I WILL NOT DO IS DISMEMBER THIS PIECE OF

LEGISLATION. WHAT I WILL DO IS WORK WITH YOU AND WORK WITH

OTHER REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST THIS COMPREHENSIVE VETERANS

LEGISLATION SO THAT WE CAN BRING FORTH TO THE FLOOR A BILL THAT

REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF VETERANS WHO ARE

HURTING TODAY. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUE

FROM LOUISIANA ON A COMPREHENSIVE BILL, BUT AT THIS POINT I

OBJECT TO HIS PROPOSAL.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD.

MR. VITTER: MR. PRESIDENT, RECLAIMING THE FLOOR AND MY TIME –

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA.

MR. VITTER: I FIND THAT VERY REGRETTABLE. OF COURSE I’LL

CONTINUE TOWORK WITH THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT. OF COURSE I WILL

CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT LARGER PACKAGE, WHICH I HAVE BEEN

ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN FOR SOMETIME. AND I’LL CONTINUE THAT. BUT

BASICALLY THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT IS HOLDING A VERY TINY PIECE

OF IT HOSTAGE, A TINY PIECE THAT WILL HAVE NO IMPACT, WHETHER

IT IS IN OR OUT IN TERMS OF PASSAGE OF THAT BROADER BILL. WHAT

IS HAPPENING IS WE HAVE A PIECE THAT, ON ITS SUBSTANCE, ON THE

SUBSTANCE OF THE CLINICS THEMSELVES, NO ONE OBJECTS TO, A PIECE

THAT PASSED THE HOUSE BY A HUGE, OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN

MAJORITY. AND YET IT’S NOT GOING TO PASS HERE TODAY OR PERHAPS

ANYTIME SOON BECAUSE IT’S HELD HOSTAGE OVER LARGER FIGHTS. I’LL

CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT BROADER VETERANS PIECE. I SUPPORT A

BROADER VETERANS BILL, IF IT’S STYLED THE RIGHT WAY AND IF IT’S

FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. I SUPPORT THE BURR ALTERNATIVE. I’LL

CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND BETWEEN THAT BURR

ALTERNATIVE AND THE SANDERS BILL. BUT WHETHER THIS CLINIC PIECE

IS IN OR OUT OF THAT DISCUSSION WILL HAVE ZERO IMPACT ON

PASSING THAT PIECE. I HONESTLY THINK IT WILL HAVE ZERO IMPACT.

SO I JUST FIND IT REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT WE CAN’T GET THIS

DONE IN THE MEANTIME, THAT WHAT MY COLLEAGUE CONSIDERS THE

PERFECT IS NOW THE ENEMY OF THE VERY GOOD AND WE CAN’T SERVE

VETERANS BY COMING TOGETHER ON WHAT WE DO AGREE ON AND ACTING

IN THE MEANTIME. WITH THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD URGE MY

DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE FROM VERMONT TO RECONSIDER OVER TIME,

AS WE WORK ON THIS LARGER VETERANS BILL, BECAUSE WE COULD PASS

THIS TODAY. THE HOUSE WOULD PASS THE SLIGHTLY MODIFIED VERSION

IMMEDIATELY, AND WE WOULD BE MOVING ON WITH 27 COMMUNITY-BASED

CLINICS AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHICH VETERANS IN ALL OF THOSE

COMMUNITIES DESPERATELY NEED. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I YIELD

THE FLOOR. OH, EXCUSE ME, MR. PRESIDENT. IF I COULD JUST BE

RECOGNIZED FOR 30 ADDITIONAL SECONDS, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER

INTO THE RECORD AND ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO DO SO A COLLOQUY,

WRITTEN COLLOQUY BETWEEN MYSELF AND SENATOR INHOFE REGARDING

THESE CLINICS. I THANK SENATOR INHOFE FOR HIS ACTIVE

COOPERATION IN MOVING THESE CLINICS FORWARD, AND I ASK

UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SUBMIT THIS WRITTEN COLLOQUY FOR THE

RECORD.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MR. VITTER: WITH THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. MR.

SANDERS: MR. PRESIDENT?

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT.

MR. SANDERS: MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME HE ITERATE MY HOPE — LET ME

REITERATE MY HOPE THAT THE SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA WILL IN FACT

WORK WITH US. IT IS MY INTENTION TO SEE THAT THIS BILL GET TO

THE FLOOR AGAIN BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY. I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE

MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO DEFEND

THIS COUNTRY TO ADDRESS THEIR SERIOUS NEEDS. THE ISSUE OF THESE

27 MEDICAL FACILITIES ARE ONE OF THOSE NEEDS, BUT THERE ARE

MANY, MANY MORE. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE SENATOR

FROM LOUISIANA, AND OTHER SENATORS, TO DO WHAT THE VETERANS

COMMUNITIES WANT US TO DO AND TO GO FORWARD ON WHAT WILL BE THE

MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS

OF OUR VETERANS PASSED IN SEVERAL DECADES. WITH THAT, MR.

PRESIDENT, I WOULD YIELD THE FLOOR.

At 11:21am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #636, Rose Eilene Gottemoeller, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security;

Confirmed: 58-42

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #510, Suzanne Eleanor Spaulding, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #511, John Roth, of Michigan, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security (expect voice vote)

At 2:00pm, there will be around 4 roll call votes (depending on the outcome of the cloture votes) and we expect 4 voice votes on confirmation of nominations.

–     Motion to invoke cloture on S.1752, Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 (Gillibrand)

–     (If cloture is invoked) Passage of S.1752

–     (Upon disposition of S.1752 or if cloture is not invoked on S.1752) Motion to invoke cloture on S.1917, Victims Protection Act of 2014 (McCaskill)

–     (If cloture is invoked on S.1917) Passage of S.1917

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #504, Kathryn D. Sullivan, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Atmosphere (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #513, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, of Missouri, to be a member of the United States International Trade Commission (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calenadr #640, R. Gil Kerlikowske, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security (expect voice vote)

–     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #547, Michael A. Hammer, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile (expect voice vote)

2:00pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1752, Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 (Gillibrand)

Not Invoked: 55-45

At 2:29pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1917, Victims Protection Act of 2014 (McCaskill);

Invoked: 100-0

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #504, Kathryn D. Sullivan, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Atmosphere
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #513, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, of Missouri, to be a member of the United States International Trade Commission
3. Confirmation of Executive Calenadr #640, R. Gil Kerlikowske, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security
4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #547, Michael A. Hammer, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile

Senator Hirono asked unanimous consent that the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.1821, the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. She then asked consent that a Hirono-Heller amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; further, that upon passage, the bill be held at the desk and that if the Senate receives a bill from the House, the text of which is identical to S.1821, as passed by the Senate, the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; the bill be read three times and passed, without any intervening action or debate.  Finally, that action on the Senate bill then be vitiated and the Senate bill be indefinitely postponed and all motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Senator Sessions objected.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #636, Rose Eilene Gottemoeller, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security; Confirmed: 58-42

2)     Motion to invoke cloture on S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013 (Gillibrand); Not Invoked: 55-45

3)     Motion to invoke cloture on S.S.1917, the Victims Protection Act of 2014 (McCaskill); Invoked: 100-0

Additional Legislative Items

Discharged and passed S.1821, the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act  with a Hirono-Heller amendment. Further, that if the Senate receives a bill from the House, the text of which is identical to S.1821, as passed by the Senate, the bill be read three times and passed.

Began the Rule 14 process of the following items in order to place the bills on the Legislative Calendar:

–        H.R.4118, the Delay Individual Mandate Penalty – IRS.

–        S.2097, the Unemployment Insurance Extension Act. (Heller)

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

Additional Executive Items

Confirmed the following items by voice vote:

– Executive Calendar #510, Suzanne Eleanor Spaulding, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

– Executive Calendar #511, John Roth, of Michigan, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security

– Executive Calendar #504, Kathryn D. Sullivan, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Atmosphere

– Executive Calendar #513, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, of Missouri, to be a member of the United States International Trade Commission

– Executive Calendar #640, R. Gil Kerlikowske, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security and

– Executive Calendar #547, Michael A. Hammer, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile

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

Last Floor Action:
4:39:08 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 10, 2014.

Last Floor Action:3/5
9:51:43 A.M. -H. Res. 501
On ordering the previous question Roll Call 99 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

9:00:50 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:02:23 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:25 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:56 A.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.
9:13:34 A.M.	H. Res. 501	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 501 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2824) to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to stop the ongoing waste by the Department of the Interior of taxpayer resources and implement the final rule on excess spoil, mining waste, and buffers for perennial and intermittent streams, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2641) to provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.”
9:17:00 A.M.	H. Res. 501	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 501.
9:51:43 A.M.	H. Res. 501	On ordering the previous question Roll Call 99 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

10:19:40 A.M.	H. Res. 501	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 99).
10:19:41 A.M.	H. Res. 501	On agreeing to the resolution Roll Call 100 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

10:30:05 A.M.	H. Res. 501	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 190 (Roll no. 100).
10:30:06 A.M.	H. Res. 501	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:30:09 A.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on H.R. 3826, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
10:30:18 A.M.	H.R. 3826	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3826 — “To provide direction to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the establishment of standards for emissions of any greenhouse gas from fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units, and for other purposes.”
10:30:38 A.M.	H.R. 3826	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
10:36:02 A.M.	H.R. 3826	On agreeing to the Smith (TX) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 230 – 184 (Roll no. 101).
10:39:55 A.M.	H.R. 3826	On agreeing to the Capps amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 228 (Roll no. 102).
10:43:55 A.M.	H.R. 3826	On agreeing to the Schakowsky amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 221 (Roll no. 103).
10:47:58 A.M.	H.R. 3826	On agreeing to the Waxman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 231 (Roll no. 104).
10:48:18 A.M.	H.R. 3826	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3826.
10:49:17 A.M.	H.R. 3826	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:49:33 A.M.	H.R. 3826	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.
10:50:49 A.M.	H.R. 3826	Ms. Brownley (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.
10:51:03 A.M.	H.R. 3826	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brownley (CA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prohibit the application of the bill with respect to rules that save consumers money on electricity bills, including rules that allow for or, encourage energy efficiency, demand response, and other approaches to lower the cost of electricity for consumers.
10:59:14 A.M.	H.R. 3826	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:06:11 A.M.	H.R. 3826	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 184 – 223 (Roll no. 105).
11:12:14 A.M.	H.R. 3826	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 – 183 (Roll no. 106).
11:12:26 A.M.	H.R. 3826	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:12:27 A.M.		NOTICE OF INTENT TO OFFER A PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION – Ms. Fudge notified the House of her intention to offer a privileged resolution. Ms. Fudge was recognized to notice the form of her proposed resolution.
11:17:00 A.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
11:18:19 A.M.	H.R. 4152	Mr. Rogers (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4152 — “To provide for the costs of loan guarantees for Ukraine.”
11:18:52 A.M.	H.R. 4152	Considered under suspension of the rules.
11:18:53 A.M.	H.R. 4152	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4152.
11:53:03 A.M.	H.R. 4152	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.
11:54:43 A.M.	H.R. 2641	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 501. H.R. 2641 — “To provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations, and for other purposes.”
11:54:48 A.M.	H.R. 2641	The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2824 and H.R. 2641. The resolution provides one hour of general debate for each bill and makes in order specified amendments printed in the Rules Committee Report 113-374. The resolution provides one motion to recommit.
11:55:09 A.M.	H.R. 2641	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 501 and Rule XVIII.
11:55:10 A.M.	H.R. 2641	The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Chairman of the Committee.
11:55:19 A.M.	H.R. 2641	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2641.
12:59:08 P.M.	H.R. 2641	An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee,  numbered 1 printed in Part C of House Report 113-374 to strike deemed approved language for any project for which an agency does not meet the deadlines contained in the bill.
12:59:11 P.M.	H.R. 2641	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part C amendment No. 1.
1:09:16 P.M.	H.R. 2641	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No.1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
1:09:38 P.M.	H.R. 2641	An amendment, offered by Mr. McKinley,  numbered 2 printed in Part C of House Report 113-374 to not allow agencies under this legislation to take into account the `social cost of carbon’ from the `Technical Support Document: Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866 from May 2013 or November 2013.’
1:10:37 P.M.	H.R. 2641	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McKinley Part C amendment No. 2.
1:19:05 P.M.	H.R. 2641	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McKinley amendment No.2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson(GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
1:19:37 P.M.	H.R. 2641	An amendment, offered by Mr. Webster (FL),  numbered 3 printed in Part C of House Report 113-374 to provide for projects that are under environmental review at the time of enactment to be completed within the deadlines that the underlying bill outlines.
1:20:27 P.M.	H.R. 2641	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Webster (FL) Part C amendment No. 3.
1:27:57 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On agreeing to the Webster (FL) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:28:07 P.M.	H.R. 2641	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nadler,  numbered 4 printed in Part C of House Report 113-374 to exempt from the bill any construction project for a nuclear facility planned in an area designated as an earthquake fault zone.
1:28:51 P.M.	H.R. 2641	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler Part C amendment No. 4.
1:34:20 P.M.	H.R. 2641	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment No.4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
1:34:53 P.M.	H.R. 2641	An amendment, offered by Mr. Johnson (GA),  numbered 5 printed in Part C of House Report 113-374 to clarify that nothing in the bill will change or limit any law or regulation allowing for public comment or participation in an agency decision making process.
1:35:45 P.M.	H.R. 2641	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 501, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson(GA) Part C amendment No. 5.
1:39:34 P.M.	H.R. 2641	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
1:40:00 P.M.	H.R. 2641	Mr. Goodlatte moved that the committee rise.
1:40:19 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
1:40:27 P.M.	H.R. 2641	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2641 as unfinished business.
1:40:32 P.M.	H. Res. 504	A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE – Ms. Fudge rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution qualified.
1:40:35 P.M.	H. Res. 504	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 504 — “Raising a question of the privileges of the House.”
1:43:46 P.M.	H. Res. 504	Mr. Cantor moved to table the measure.
2:09:52 P.M.	H. Res. 504	On motion to table the measure Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 211 – 186, 10 Present (Roll no. 107).
2:09:55 P.M.	H.R. 2641	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2641 — “To provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations, and for other purposes.”
2:10:15 P.M.	H.R. 2641	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
2:17:05 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 228 (Roll no. 108).
2:21:55 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On agreeing to the McKinley amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 222 – 188 (Roll no. 109).
2:25:34 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 220 (Roll no. 110).
2:30:06 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 192 – 217 (Roll no. 111).
2:30:25 P.M.	H.R. 2641	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2641.
2:31:09 P.M.	H.R. 2641	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2:31:18 P.M.	H.R. 2641	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.
2:32:09 P.M.	H.R. 2641	Ms. DelBene moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
2:32:31 P.M.	H.R. 2641	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DelBene motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to ensure that the underlying bill does not weaken environmental review of projects.
2:41:31 P.M.	H.R. 2641	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
2:48:29 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 217 (Roll no. 112).
2:55:14 P.M.	H.R. 2641	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 – 179 (Roll no. 113).
2:55:16 P.M.	H.R. 2641	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:55:27 P.M.	H.R. 4152	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4152 — “To provide for the costs of loan guarantees for Ukraine.”
3:02:05 P.M.	H.R. 4152	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 23 (Roll no. 114).
3:03:47 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Conaway on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
3:11:00 P.M.		Mr. Conaway asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, March 6, 2014, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014, and that the order of the House on January 7, 2014, regarding morning-hour debate not apply on that day. Agreed to without objection.
3:12:44 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:25:00 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:02:11 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

4:39:00 P.M.		Mr. Poe (TX) moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:39:07 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:39:08 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 10, 2014.

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