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The 113th Congress will convene at 12:00noon on Thursday, January 3, 2013.
WRAP UP
No ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Adopted S.Res.1, a resolution notifying the President that a quorum of each House has assembled.
Adopted S.Res.2, a resolution notifying the House that a quorum of the Senate has assembled.
Adopted S.Con.Res.1, a concurrent resolution to provide for the counting on January 4, 2013, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States.
Adopted S.Con.Res.2, a concurrent resolution extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
Adopted S.Res.3, a resolution fixing the hour of daily meeting of the Senate.
Adopted S.Con.Res.3, a concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment or recess of the Senate.
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity
| 11:00:05 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 11:00:18 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
| 11:01:24 A.M. | The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. | |
| 11:01:28 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Culberson to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 11:03:59 A.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair. |
| 12:00:00 P.M. | <ACTION_DESCRIPTION>House convened, starting a new legislative day, pursuant to the 20th amendment to the Constitution, for the meeting of the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress of the United States. | |
| 12:01:01 P.M. | <ACTION_DESCRIPTION>Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
| 12:02:34 P.M. | <ACTION_DESCRIPTION>PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Clerk led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 12:03:31 P.M. | <ACTION_DESCRIPTION>CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION – The Clerk announced that Certificates of Election covering 435 seats in the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress had been received and the names of those persons whose credentials show that they were regularly elected as Representatives in accordance with the laws of their respective States of the United States would be called. Without objection, the Representatives-elect were directed to record their presence by electronic device in order to determine whether a quorum was present. | |
| 12:27:27 P.M. | Call of the States Quorum responded: 429 present (Roll no. 1). | |
| 12:28:42 P.M. | ELECTION CREDENTIALS FOR DELEGATES – The Clerk notified the House that election credentials for all Delegates and Resident Commissioners had been received. | |
| 12:28:43 P.M. | The Clerk notified the House that she received letters from the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. of Illinois and the Honorable Tim Scott of South Carolina indicating that they will not serve in the House in the 113th Congress. | |
| 12:29:01 P.M. | NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE OF SPEAKER – Pursuant to law and precedent, the Clerk announced that the next order of business was the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 113th Congress and that nominations would now be in order. Accordingly, the Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington placed the name of the Honorable John Boehner into nomination for the Office of Speaker and the Honorable Xavier Becerra of California placed the name of the Honorable Nancy Pelosi into nomination for the Office of Speaker. No other nominations were put forward. | |
| 12:34:38 P.M. | APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS – The Clerk announced the appointment of the following Members-elect to act as Tellers during the Roll Call for Election of Speaker: Mrs. Miller of Michigan; Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania; Ms. Kaptur; and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. | |
| 1:41:52 P.M. | Roll call 2 – Election of the Speaker Mr. Boehner: 220, Ms. Pelosi: 192, Cantor: 3, West: 2, Cooper of Tennessee: 2, Lewis of Georgia: 1, Powell: 1, Labrador: 1, Jordan: 1, Walker: 1, Amash: 1, Dingell: 1, and Present: 1. Mr. Boehner was elected Speaker of the House. | |
| 1:42:04 P.M. | COMMITTEE TO ESCORT THE SPEAKER-ELECT – The Clerk appointed a Committee of Members-elect to escort the Speaker-elect into the Chamber and to the Chair. | |
| 1:50:24 P.M. | >The Speaker-elect was escorted into the Chamber by the Escort Committee and introduced by Representative-elect Pelosi, Democratic Leader, before assuming the Chair. | |
| 2:00:33 P.M. | ADDRESS BY THE SPEAKER-ELECT – The Speaker-elect addressed the House prior to taking the Oath of Office which will be administered by the Dean of the House, Representative-elect John Dingell of Michigan. | |
| 2:08:24 P.M. | ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE – The Dean of the House administered the Oath of Office to the Speaker-elect. | |
| 2:09:38 P.M. | ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE – The Speaker administered the Oath of Office to the Members-elect of the 113th Congress. | |
| 2:11:31 P.M. | ANNOUNCEMENT OF LEADERSHIP POSTS – Mrs. McMorris Rodgers notified the House that, at the direction of the Republican Conference, Mr. Cantor of Virginia had been elected as Majority Leader and Mr. McCarthy of California had been elected as Majority Whip. | |
| 2:11:32 P.M. | ANNOUNCEMENT OF LEADERSHIP POSTS – Mr. Becerra notified the House that, at the direction of the Democratic Caucus, Ms. Pelosi of California had been elected as Minority leader, Mr. Hoyer of Maryland had been elected as Minority Whip, and Mr. Clyburn had been elected as Assistant Democratic Leader. | |
| 2:14:53 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 1 — “Electing officers of the House of Representatives.” |
| 2:14:56 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | >Mr. Becerra demanded that the question be divided on the adoption of the resolution so as to have a separate vote on the election of the Chaplain. Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:15:45 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | portion of the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 2:15:46 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | On agreeing to the remainder of the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 2:17:00 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | Amendment offered by Mr. Becerra. |
| 2:17:02 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | On agreeing to the Becerra amendment; Failed by voice vote. |
| 2:17:13 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | >On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 2:17:22 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:18:18 P.M. | H. Res. 2 | >Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 2 — “To inform the Senate that a quorum of the House has assembled and of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.” |
| 2:18:46 P.M. | H. Res. 2 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 2:18:52 P.M. | H. Res. 2 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:18:53 P.M. | H. Res. 3 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 3 — “Authorizing the Speaker to appoint a committee to notify the President of the assembly of the Congress.” |
| 2:19:24 P.M. | H. Res. 3 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 2:19:31 P.M. | H. Res. 3 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:20:25 P.M. | H. Res. 4 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 4 — “Authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.” |
| 2:20:45 P.M. | H. Res. 4 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 2:20:51 P.M. | H. Res. 4 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:21:26 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | >Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 5 — “Adopting rules for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress.” |
| 2:23:30 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | to be appointed by the Speaker, not more than three of whom shall be from the same political party, with instructions not to report back the same until it has conducted a full and complete study of, and made a determination on, whether there is any reason to deny Delegates voting right in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. |
| 2:24:39 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | Mr. Cantor moved to table the motion to refer. |
| 3:00:46 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | On motion to table the motion to refer Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 187 (Roll no. 3). |
| 3:00:58 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 5. |
| 4:24:31 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 191 (Roll no. 4). |
| 4:25:25 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | Mr. Miller, George moved to commit with instructions |
| 4:25:26 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with debate on the George Miller (CA) motion to commit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion direct that the resolution be committed to a select committee composed of the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader with instructions to report it forthwith back to the House with an amendment. The amendment would amend the Republican Rules Package to include legislation that would require that all Federal elections offer early voting for 10 hours per day for a period of 15 days, and ensure that no voter waits more than one hour to cast a ballot by providing sufficient voting systems, poll workers, and other necessary resources. The bill would also implement uniform standards for the counting of provisional ballots to ensure all voters have the opportunity to cast a ballot. Additionally, it would grant the Attorney General authority to enforce new requirements and grant private |
| 4:25:46 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | The previous question on the motion to commit with instructions was ordered without objection. |
| 4:42:50 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | On motion to commit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 194 – 229 (Roll no. 5). |
| 4:43:06 P.M. | The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Res. 2, S. Con. Res. 1, S. Con. Res. 2, and S. Con. Res. 3. | |
| 4:48:00 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | >On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 196 (Roll no. 6). |
| 4:48:01 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | Subsequent to the adoption of the resolution, the Chair announced that, without objection, the word “General” in section 3(j)(1) is changed to “Government”. |
| 4:49:01 P.M. | H. Res. 5 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 4:50:47 P.M. | Pursuant to H. Res. 3, the Chair announced the Speaker’s appointment of Mr. Cantor of Virginia and Ms. Pelosi of California to the committee on the part of the House to join a committee on the part of the Senate to notify the President of the United States that a quorum of each house has assembled and that Congress is ready to receive any communication that he may be pleased to make. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 5:01:08 P.M. | H. Res. 6 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 6 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.” |
| 5:01:41 P.M. | H. Res. 6 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:02:00 P.M. | H. Res. 6 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:02:21 P.M. | H. Res. 7 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 7 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.” |
| 5:02:31 P.M. | H. Res. 7 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:02:35 P.M. | H. Res. 7 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:02:40 P.M. | H. Res. 8 | Becerra asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced. |
| 5:02:40 P.M. | H. Res. 8 | Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 8 — “Providing for the designation of certain minority employees.” |
| 5:03:05 P.M. | H. Res. 8 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:03:20 P.M. | H. Res. 8 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:03:27 P.M. | H. Res. 9 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 9 — “Fixing the daily hour of meeting of the First Session of the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress.” |
| 5:03:42 P.M. | H. Res. 9 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:03:46 P.M. | H. Res. 9 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:04:22 P.M. | <ACTION_DESCRIPTION>Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that during the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader be authorized to accept resignations and to make appointments authorized by law or by the House. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 5:04:40 P.M. | Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that during the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, all Members be permitted to extend their remarks and to include extraneous material within the permitted limit in that section of the record entitled “Extension of Remarks”. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 5:07:09 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 1 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 1 — “Regarding consent to assemble outside the seat of government.” |
| 5:07:44 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 1 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:07:51 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 1 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:08:22 P.M. | Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on January 4. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 5:08:55 P.M. | House Office Building Commission – Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 2001, and the Order of the House of Today the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the House Office Building Commission: Mr. Cantor and Ms. Pelosi . | |
| 5:09:14 P.M. | Appointment to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence – Pursuant to Clause 11 of Rule X, Clause 11 of Rule I and the Order of the House Today the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Appointment to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Mr. Rogers of MI and Mr. Ruppersberger . | |
| 5:09:44 P.M. | Joint Economic Committee – Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1024(a), and the Order of the House of Today the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Joint Economic Committee: Mr. Brady of TX and Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney. | |
| 5:10:03 P.M. | S. Con. Res. 1 | Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 1 — “To provide for the counting on January 4, 2013, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States.” |
| 5:11:07 P.M. | S. Con. Res. 1 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:13:03 P.M. | S. Con. Res. 1 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:13:28 P.M. | S. Con. Res. 2 | Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 2 — “Extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.” |
| 5:13:39 P.M. | S. Con. Res. 2 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:13:42 P.M. | S. Con. Res. 2 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 5:14:00 P.M. | The Chair announced the Speaker’s policies with respect to particular aspects of the legislative process and inserted in the Congressional Record announcements concerning: first, privileges of the floor; second, introduction of bills and resolutions; third, unanimous-consent requests for the consideration of legislation; fourth, recognition for 1-minute speeches; fifth, recognition for special-order speeches; sixth, decorum in debate; seventh, conduct of votes by electronic device; eighth, use of handouts on the House floor; ninth, use of electronic equipment on the House floor; and tenth, use of the Chamber. The Chair further announced that these announcements will reiterate the origins of the stated policies and that the Chair intends to continue in the 113th Congress the policies reflected in those statements and that the policy announced in the 102nd Congress with respect to jurisdictional concepts | |
| 5:15:08 P.M. | The House received a message from the Clerk. Under clause 2(g) of rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had designated Robert Reeves, Deputy Clerk, and Kirk D. Boyle, Legal Counsel, to sign any and all papers and do all other acts for her under the name of the Clerk of the House that they would be authorized to do by virtue of this designation, except such as are provided by statute, in case of her temporary absence or disability. This designation shall remain in effect for the 113th Congress or until modified by the Clerk. | |
| 5:15:32 P.M. | The House received a communication from The Honorable John A. Boehner, Speaker. Pursuant to H. Con. Res. 1, and also for purposes of such concurrent resolutions of the current Congress as may contemplate my designation of Members to act in similar circumstances, the Speaker notified the Clerk of his designation of Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia to act jointly with the Majority Leader of the Senate or his designee, in the event of his death or inability, to notify the Members of the House and the Senate, respectively, or any reassembly under any such concurrent resolution. In the event of the death or inability of that designee, alternate Members of the House are listed in the letter from the Speaker bearing the date of January 3, 2012 for the same purposes. | |
| 5:16:35 P.M. | The Chair announced that the Speaker has delivered to the Clerk a letter dated January 3, 2013, listing Members in the order in which each shall act as Speaker pro tempore under clause 8(b)(3) of rule I. | |
| 5:17:01 P.M. | SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE – the Speaker appointed the Honorable Jeff Denham, the Honorable Mac Thornberry, the Honorable Fred Upton, the Honorable Andy Harris, and the Honorable Frank R. Wolf to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the remainder of the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress. | |
| 5:17:31 P.M. | ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair annnounced to the House that the whole number of the House is 429. | |
| 5:17:32 P.M. | H. Res. 1 | Subsequent to the adoption of the resolution, the Chair announced that, without objection, H. Res. 1 is amended by striking “Florida” in the second place it appears and inserting “Oregon”. |
| 5:18:14 P.M. | Mr. McHenry moved that the House do now adjourn. | |
| 5:18:25 P.M. | On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. | |
| 5:18:26 P.M. | The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 4, 2013. |
Last night, President Obama delivered a statement on the fiscal cliff, and the bipartisan agreement that has now passed in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The agreement keeps income taxes low for the middle class, and helps to grow the economy.
Watch the statement, and find out what you need to know about the deal.
Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:
The Year in Review: Joining Forces to Hire American Heroes
In August of 2011, President Obama challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. In August of 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that 2,000 American companies had stepped up to the challenge, and had already exceeded that goal — hiring 125,000 veterans and military spouses more than a year ahead of schedule.
A Digital Milestone in 2012: 100,000,000 Video Views
Earlier this month, we reached a milestone with the news that our videos have been viewed more than 100,000,000 (that’s one hundred million!) times since we launched the official White House YouTube channel on Inauguration weekend in 2009.
President and Mrs. Obama Visit Troops on Christmas Day
Continuing what has become an annual tradition that is a highlight of their holiday celebrations, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama spent some time on Christmas Day at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
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CALM Act Regulates Volume of TV Commercials
12/28/2012
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established new rules for the volume of television commercials that started on December 13, 2012. The new regulation, known as the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, requires commercials to have the same average volume as the programs they accompany. The CALM Act requires TV stations, cable operators or other multichannel video program distributors to apply specific FCC practices to commercials they transmit.
If you hear a commercial louder than the TV show it accompanies, you can file a complaint with the FCC by providing detailed information about the commercial.
Learn more about the CALM Act.
Keep Single-Load Liquid Laundry Packets Away from Children
12/29/2012
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to lock up single-load liquid laundry packets and keep them away from children.
Liquid laundry packets are attractive to children because they are soft and colorful and resemble familiar items like candy and teething products.
These items also dissolve quickly when placed in the mouth or are handled with wet hands. Children who are exposed to the chemicals are at risk of serious injury because they can be toxic.
In 2012, CPSC staff have learned of about 500 incidents involving children and adults who were injured by the packets.
CPSC recommends these steps to prevent unintentional poisonings and eye injuries:
Learn more about the dangers of single-load laundry packets. (PDF)
Be a Seed for Change 
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