At approximately 9am, there will be a series of 4 roll call votes in relation to the following items:

– Reid substitute amendment to H.R.3630, 2 month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix, and unemployment insurance (60-vote threshold);

((up to 15 minutes for debate))

– Passage of H.R.3672, emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold);

– Adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold); and

– Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations (60-vote threshold).

9:21am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid-McConnell substitute amendment #1465 (2-month extension of the payroll tax reduction) to H.R.3630, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act; Agreed to: 89-10

10:02am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3672, Emergency Disaster Funding; Passed: 72-27

10:21am The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding; Not Adopted: 43-56

**** The Congressional Budgetary Office announced this morning that the payroll tax cut extension package that passed in the Senate, by a vote of 89-10, reduces the deficit by approximately $3 billion. Read the CBO report here. ****

10:44am The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations; Adopted: 67-32

There will be no further roll call votes this year. The next roll call vote will be on Monday, January 23, 2012.

Senator Merkley asked unanimous consent the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.1874, the HUBZone Qualified Census Tract Act of 2011, and the bill be passed.

Senator Kyl objected to Senator Merkley’s request. The unofficial transcript of Senators Merkley, Snowe, Landrieu and Kyl’s remarks is below.

11:00:51 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I RISE TO ASK UNANIMOUS

CONSENT OF ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, BEFORE I EXPLAIN THE UNANIMOUS

CONSENT REQUEST, I WILL GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND. THIS

IS SENATE BILL 1874 THAT SENATOR SNOWE AND I HAVE WORKED ON FOR

SOME TIME BECAUSE OF OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IN MAKING THE HUB ZONE

PROCESS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK BETTER. WHEN THIS

PROCESS OCCURS WITH EACH CENSUS, THERE IS A TWO-YEAR NIGHTMARE

OF RED TAPE BEFORE COMMUNITIES THAT SHOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS

{11:01:22} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO, AND

ACROSS THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT

ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BENEFIT FROM THIS MOST RECENT CENSUS. THEY

HAVE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. THEY ARE HIT HARD BY THE DROP IN

EXPORTS. THEY ARE HIT HARD BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE HOUSING

COMMUNITY. SAWMILLS HAVE SHUT DOWN, PAPER MILLS HAVE SHUT DOWN.

AND SO SO MANY FOLKS COME TO THIS FLOOR TO TALK ABOUT CUTTING

{11:01:55} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

RED TAPE AND TALKING ABOUT HELPING ECONOMY IN THE HEART OF

RURAL AMERICA. THEY COME TO THIS FLOOR AND THEY TALK ABOUT HOW

IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS IS, AND THIS IS A

LITTLE FIX THAT TAKES A YEAR OUT OF THE BUREAUCRACY, AND THAT’S

WHY SENATOR SNOWE AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS PROCESS.

NOW, TWICE WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AND TWICE IT HAS BEEN

CLEARED BY EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY. NEITHER TIME DID IT MAKE

IT INTO A BILL THAT GOT TO THE PRESIDENT’S DESK. SO WE ARE

{11:02:31} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

COMING BACK ONCE MORE TO SAY LET COMMON SENSE TO FIX THIS

SNAFUS — THE SNAFUS IN THE BUREAUCRACY THAT ARE TAKING AWAY

OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL AMERICA. LET’S PUT AN END TO THAT TODAY.

AND I WILL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUE TO SPEAK AND THEN WE WILL ASK

FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT. I YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM MAINE.

{11:02:54 NSP} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MS. SNOWE: MR. PRESIDENT.

{11:02:57 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MAINE.

{11:03:01 NSP} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MS. SNOWE: THANK YOU, AND I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM

OREGON REGARDING THIS CRITICAL ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING

ON FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME, THAT WE THOUGHT WE HAD

REALLY CLEARED ON BOTH SIDES. THERE IS NO OBJECTIONS TO THIS

LANGUAGE, WHICH IS MIGHTILY IMPORTANT TO IMPROVING THE RURAL

ECONOMIES OF THIS COUNTRY, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE IT WOULD

EXPEDITE THE HUB ZONE DESIGNATION TO ALLOW SMALL BUSINESSES IN

THOSE HUB ZONES TO PROVIDE JOBS BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT THEY

{11:03:31} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

WOULD GET PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN THE CONTRACTING PROCESS. AS

WE KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MORE THAN $400 BILLION

WORTH OF CONTRACTS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES

AND PARTICULARLY THOSE LOCATED IN HARD-HIT AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY

HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE CONTRACTING DOLLARS AND ARE ABLE TO

PARTICIPATE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING. THIS WOULD CREATE JOBS. SO I

REGRET THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET SUPPORT TO MOVE

THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD BECAUSE I KNOW THE SENATOR FROM OREGON

{11:04:03} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

HAS TESTED IT ON BOTH SIDES. WE HAVE RUN IT THROUGH THE

HOTLINE. THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS TO THE LANGUAGE, AND I CANNOT

UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN’T MOVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROPOSITION

THAT ABSOLUTELY WOULD BE CENTRAL TO CREATING JOBS IN THE AREAS

THAT NEED IT MOST THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE

GET SUCH A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. SO THIS ISN’T A DIFFICULT

ISSUE TO UNDERSTAND. IT’S VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD. EVERYBODY

AGREES TO THE LANGUAGE. IT’S MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN IMPROVE

{11:04:35} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE LANGUAGE SO WE CAN EXPEDITE THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THESE

DES NATIONS OCCUR FOR HUB ZONES, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE HUB ZONES

ARE THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SUFFERING MOST WITH RESPECT TO THE

DOWNTURN OF THIS ECONOMY. WHEN WE HAVE A PALTRY ECONOMIC GROWTH

OF 1.3%, .4% OR 2%, WHEN WE HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT’S

8.6% BUT WE HAVE HAD 9% OR HIGHER FOR A GOOD 28 MONTHS OR THE

LAST 34 MONTHS, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND THIS

COULD HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND IT COULD HELP THOSE PEOPLE IN

{11:05:09} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THOSE AREAS WHO ARE CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED. SO I WOULD HOPE THAT

THERE WOULD BE NO OBJECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THIS INITIATIVE.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM OREGON FOR HIS LEADERSHIP

ON THIS MATTER.

{11:05:24 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: I THANK MY COLLEAGUE. AND THE THIRD SPONSOR ON

THIS BILL IS SENATOR LANDRIEU, THE CHAIR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS

COMMITTEE, AND I YIELD TO HER.

{11:05:32 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. KYL: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK THE INDULGENCE OF MY COLLEAGUE.

IF MY COLLEAGUE COULD ASK THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST TO

WHICH I CAN RESPOND, THEN I CAN LEAVE. WOULD MY COLLEAGUE BE

WILLING TO DO THAT, PLEASE?

{11:05:46 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: WE WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT, ABSOLUTELY. MR.

PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE BANKING COMMITTEE BE

DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF S. 1874, THE HUB ZONE

QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACK ACT OF 2011, AND THE SENATE PROCEED TO

ITS CONSIDERATION, THAT THE BILL BE READ A THIRD TIME AND

PASSED AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON THE TABLE WITH

NO INTERVENING ACTION OR DEBATE, AND ANY STATEMENTS RELATING TO

THE BILL BE PLACED IN THE RECORD AT THE APPROPRIATE PLACE AS IF

READ.

{11:06:12 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?

{11:06:16 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. KYL: MR. PRESIDENT, ON — THERE IS OBJECTION ON OUR SIDE,

AND I WILL OBJECT, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT AS A

RESULT OF SENATOR SNOWE AND SENATOR MERKLEY’S INTERCESSION

HERE, OUR STAFF HAS TALKED TO SENATOR SHELBY WHO SAYS THAT HE

WILL TRY TO WORK TO GET IT CLEARED AND TO HOTLINE IT AGAIN ON

OUR SIDE TODAY. SO AT THIS TIME I CANNOT CLEAR IT, BUT THERE

WILL BE AN EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT RESULT.

{11:06:40 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD. THE SENATOR FROM

OREGON.

{11:06:43 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM ARIZONA. WE APPRECIATE

HIS HELP. WE APPRECIATE THE — THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE

BANKING COMMITTEE ASSISTING IN THIS MATTER, AND I YIELD TO MY

COLLEAGUE FROM LOUISIANA.

{11:06:57 NSP} (MS. LANDRIEU) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MS. LANDRIEU: THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, I WANT TO ADD MY VOICE

TO THE STRONG WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY SENATOR MERKLEY AND

SENATOR SNOWE, AND AS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE THAT HAS SOME

JURISDICTION OVER THE HUB ZONE PROGRAM, I WANT TO URGE THE

BANKING COMMITTEE AND THE STAFF AND OFFER THE STAFF OF THE

SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE FOR THE MAJORITY SIDE TO WORK VERY

HARD TODAY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS CLEARED. IT’S VERY, VERY

IMPORTANT TO THE RANKING MEMBER OF OUR COMMITTEE WHO HAS WORKED

SO HARD ON THIS AND TO THE SENATOR FROM OREGON WHO HAS MADE

{11:07:27} (MS. LANDRIEU) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

VERY STRONG ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE EXPEDITING AND STREAMLINING

SOME OF THESE APPROVALS. SO I WISH THEM THE BEST. WE’RE GOING

TO WORK TODAY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS CLEARED, AND IT WOULD

BE THE SECOND REALLY SUBSTANTIAL VICTORY IN SORT OF THE HOME –

IN THE SMALL BUSINESS SPACE, HAVING GOTTEN OUR SBIR BILL

THROUGH JUST RECENTLY, AFTER SIX YEARS OF VERY ACRIMONIOUS

DEBATE, IF WE COULD GET THIS FIX TO THE HUB ZONE PROGRAM, IT

WOULD BE TERRIFIC, AND I JUST THANK THE SENATORS FOR THEIR HARD

{11:08:02} (MS. LANDRIEU) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

WORK, AND I YIELD THE FLOOR.

During Saturday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes.

By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that the Senate take up and confirm the following nominations on the Executive Calendar and Senator McConnell objected to the request.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

# 67 Philip E. Coyle, III, of California, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and

Technology Policy

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

#86 Ben S. Bernanke – United States Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

#108 Scott C. Doney – to be Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

#112 William J. Boarman – to be Public Printer

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

#258 Phyllis Nichamoff Segal – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#259 Lisa M. Quiroz — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and

Community Service

#260 John D. Podesta — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#261 Matthew Francis McCabe — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#262 Marguerite W. Kondracke — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#263 Jane D. Hartley – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#264 Richard Christman – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION

#338 Anthony Frank D’Agostino – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

#339 Anthony Frank D’Agostino – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (Reappointment)

#340 Gregory Karawan – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

#344 Martin J. Gruenberg – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Reappointment)

#345 Martin J. Gruenberg – to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#346 Thomas J. Curry – to be Comptroller of the Currency

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

#403 Kenneth J. Kopocis – to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

#413 Richard Cordray – to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection for a term of five years

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#421 Joyce A. Barr – to be Assistant Secretary of State (Administration)

#422 Michael A. Hammer – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Public Affairs)

HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

#450 Laura A. Cordero – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 15, 2015

AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

#456 Albert DiClemente – to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

#494 David T. Danielson – to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)

#495 LaDoris Guess Harris – to be Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact, Department of Energy

#496 Gregory Howard Woods – to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy

STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

#499 James R. Hannah – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

#500 Daniel J. Becker – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#501 Mari Carmen Aponte – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Republic of El Salvador.

#502 Adam E. Namm – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Republic of Ecuador.

#503 Michael Anthony McFaul – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Russian Federation.

#504 Roberta S. Jacobson – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs),

#505 Elizabeth M. Cousens – to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.

#506 Elizabeth M. Cousens – to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#507 Michael E. Horowitz – to be Inspector General

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

#511 Rebecca M. Blank – to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

#512 Ajit Varadaraj Pai – to be a Member of the FCC for a term of five years from July 1, 2011

#513 Jessica Rosenworcel – to be a Member of the FCC for a term of five years from July 1, 2010

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

#514 Jon D. Leibowitz – to be a FTC for a term of seven years from September 26, 2010

#515 Maureen K. Ohlhausen – to be a FTC for a term of seven years from September 26, 2011

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#516 Kathryn Keneally – to be an Assistant Attorney General

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

#517 Maurice A. Jones – to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

#518 Carol J. Galante – to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

#519 Thomas Hoenig – to be Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

#520 Thomas Hoenig – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

#521 Deepa Gupta – to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring Sept. 3, 2016

#522 Christopher Merrill – to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring Jan. 26, 2016

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

#523 Stephanie Orlando – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for the remainder of the term expiring Sept. 17, 2011

#524 Stephanie Orlando – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring Sept. 17, 2014

#525 Gary Blumenthal – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring Sept. 17, 2013

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

#526 Wendy M. Spencer – to be Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

#527 – Arunava Majumdar – to be Under Secretary of Energy

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#529 Brad Carson – to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army

#530 Michael A. Sheehan – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

AIR FORCE

#531 to be Brigadier General – Col. Merle D. Hart

#532 to be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc

#533 to be Brigadier General – Col. Brian E. Dominguez

#534 to be Brigadier General – Col. John P. Currenti

#535 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John D. Bansemer

Colonel David B. Been

Colonel Michael T. Brewer

Colonel Thomas A. Bussiere

Colonel Clinton E. Crosier

Colonel Albert M. Elton, II

Colonel Michael A. Fantini

Colonel Timothy G. Fay

Colonel Edward A. Fienga

Colonel Steven D. Garland

Colonel Thomas W. Geary

Colonel Cedric D. George

Colonel Blaine D. Holt

Colonel Scott A. Howell

Colonel Ronald L. Huntley

Colonel Allen J. Jamerson

Colonel James C. Johnson

Colonel Mark D. Kelly

Colonel Scott A. Kindsvater

Colonel Donald E. Kirkland

Colonel Bruce H. McClintock

Colonel Martha A. Meeker

Colonel John E. Michel

Colonel Charles L. Moore, Jr.

Colonel Gregory S. Otey

Colonel John T. Quintas

Colonel Michael D. Rothstein

Colonel Kevin B. Schneider

Colonel Scott F. Smith

Colonel Bradley D. Spacy

Colonel Ferdinand B. Stoss

Colonel Jacqueline D. Van Ovost

Colonel James C. Vechery

Colonel Christopher P. Weggeman

Colonel Kevin B. Wooton

Colonel Sarah E. Zabel

ARMY

#536 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, III

#537 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John W. Baker

Colonel Margaret W. Burcham

Colonel Richard D. Clarke, Jr.

Colonel Roger L. Cloutier, Jr.

Colonel Timothy R. Coffin

Colonel Peggy C. Combs

Colonel Bruce T. Crawford

Colonel Jason T. Evans

Colonel Stephen E. Farmen

Colonel John G. Ferrari

Colonel Kimberly Field

Colonel Duane A. Gamble

Colonel Ryan F. Gonsalves

Colonel Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr.

Colonel Steven R. Grove

Colonel William B. Hickman

Colonel Christopher P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel L. Karbler

Colonel Ronald F. Lewis

Colonel James B. Linder

Colonel Michael D. Lundy

Colonel David K. MacEwen

Colonel Todd B. McCaffrey

Colonel Paul M. Nakasone

Colonel Paul A. Ostrowski

Colonel Laura J. Richardson

Colonel Steven A. Shapiro

Colonel James E. Simpson

Colonel Mark R. Stammer

Colonel Michael C. Wehr

Colonel Eric P. Wendt

#538 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar

#539 to be Lieutenant General – Maj. Gen. Mary A. Legere

#540 to be Major General – Col. Jimmie O. Keenan

#541 Mary John Miller – to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury

#542 Henry J. Aaron – to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board

#543 Kathleen Kerrigan – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for the term of fifteen years

#544 Alastair M. Fitzpayne – to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Reid-McConnell substitute amendment #1465 (2-month extension of the payroll tax deduction, doc fix, and unemployment insurance) to H.R.3630; Agreed to: 89-10

2) Passage of H.R.3672, emergency disaster funding; Passed: 72-27

3) Adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding; Not Adopted: 43-56

4) Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations; Adopted: 67-32

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3630, a bill to extend the payroll tax holiday, unemployment compensation, Medicare physician payment, provide for the consideration of the Keystone XL pipeline, as amended.

Adopted S.Res.349, commemorating and honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces and their families as the official combat mission in Iraq draws to a close by voice vote.

Adopted H.J.Res.96, a 6-day continuing resolution.

Concurred in the House message to accompany S.278, the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District Land Exchange Act of 2011.

Discharged the Banking Committee and Passed S.1874, the HUBZone Qualified Census Tract Act of 2011.

Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and Passed S.1959, to require a report on the designation of the Haqqani Network as a foreign terrorist organization and for other purposes with a Burr amendment.

Discharged the EPW Committee and Passed S.1710, a bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 222 West 7^th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, as the James M. Fitzgerald United States Courthouse.

Passed H.R.1264, To designate the property between the United States Federal Courthouse and the Ed Jones Building located at 109 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, as the “M.D. Anderson Plaza” and to authorize the placement of a historical/identification marker on the grounds recognizing the achievements and philanthropy of M.D. Anderson.

Passed Calendar #258, H.R.789, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Main Street in Little Ferry, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office”.

Passed Calendar #259, H.R.2422, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the “Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office”.

Adopted S.Res.351, Recognizing the 40^th anniversary of the enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.440, To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.3012, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2011.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#421 Joyce A. Barr – to be Assistant Secretary of State (Administration)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#503 Michael Anthony McFaul – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Russian Federation.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#529 Brad Carson – to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army

#530 Michael A. Sheehan – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

AIR FORCE

#531 to be Brigadier General – Col. Merle D. Hart

#532 to be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc

#533 to be Brigadier General – Col. Brian E. Dominguez

#534 to be Brigadier General – Col. John P. Currenti

#535 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John D. Bansemer

Colonel David B. Been

Colonel Michael T. Brewer

Colonel Thomas A. Bussiere

Colonel Clinton E. Crosier

Colonel Albert M. Elton, II

Colonel Michael A. Fantini

Colonel Timothy G. Fay

Colonel Edward A. Fienga

Colonel Steven D. Garland

Colonel Thomas W. Geary

Colonel Cedric D. George

Colonel Blaine D. Holt

Colonel Scott A. Howell

Colonel Ronald L. Huntley

Colonel Allen J. Jamerson

Colonel James C. Johnson

Colonel Mark D. Kelly

Colonel Scott A. Kindsvater

Colonel Donald E. Kirkland

Colonel Bruce H. McClintock

Colonel Martha A. Meeker

Colonel John E. Michel

Colonel Charles L. Moore, Jr.

Colonel Gregory S. Otey

Colonel John T. Quintas

Colonel Michael D. Rothstein

Colonel Kevin B. Schneider

Colonel Scott F. Smith

Colonel Ferdinand B. Stoss

Colonel Jacqueline D. Van Ovost

Colonel James C. Vechery

Colonel Christopher P. Weggeman

Colonel Kevin B. Wooton

Colonel Sarah E. Zabel

ARMY

#536 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, III

#537 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John W. Baker

Colonel Margaret W. Burcham

Colonel Richard D. Clarke, Jr.

Colonel Roger L. Cloutier, Jr.

Colonel Timothy R. Coffin

Colonel Peggy C. Combs

Colonel Bruce T. Crawford

Colonel Jason T. Evans

Colonel Stephen E. Farmen

Colonel John G. Ferrari

Colonel Kimberly Field

Colonel Duane A. Gamble

Colonel Ryan F. Gonsalves

Colonel Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr.

Colonel Steven R. Grove

Colonel William B. Hickman

Colonel Christopher P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel L. Karbler

Colonel Ronald F. Lewis

Colonel James B. Linder

Colonel Michael D. Lundy

Colonel David K. MacEwen

Colonel Todd B. McCaffrey

Colonel Paul M. Nakasone

Colonel Paul A. Ostrowski

Colonel Laura J. Richardson

Colonel Steven A. Shapiro

Colonel James E. Simpson

Colonel Mark R. Stammer

Colonel Michael C. Wehr

Colonel Eric P. Wendt

#538 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar

#539 to be Lieutenant General – Maj. Gen. Mary A. Legere

#540 to be Major General – Col. Jimmie O. Keenan

All nominations on the Secretary’s desk

All nominations received by the Senate during the 112th Congress, first session, will remain in status quo, notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXXI, paragraph 6, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, with the following exceptions:

Cal. #43 Caitlin Joan Halligan, to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia

Cal. # 67 Philip E. Coyle, III, to be an Associate Director Office of Science and Technology Policy

Cal. #112 William J. Boarman – to be Public Printer

Cal. #185 Michael Green US District Judge for the Western District of New York

Cal. #413 Richard Cordray – to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

PN2 Victoria Frances Nourse, of Wisconsin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

PN14 Louis B. Butler, Jr., of Wisconsin, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin

PN95 V. Natasha Perdew Silas, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia

PN96-112 Linda T. Walker, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia

PN158 Arvo Mikkanen, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma

PN317 Steve Six, of Kansas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit

PN653 Rebecca R. Wodder, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife

——————————————————————————-

The House adjourned 12/16/2011 pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2011.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Charlotte 2012 – Poster Contest !

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

A message from … Dr. Dan Murrey, Executive Director

Dear Charlottein 2012 Supporter,I don’t want you to miss out. We are closing submissions for the poster contest on December 31, 2011. I want to make sure your artwork has the chance to become one of the official posters for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Here’s what you’ve got to do. Design a 18 x 24″ poster which focuses on one or more of the following themes: 1) Americans coming together; 2) building a better future; and/or 3) opportunity for empowerment. The poster must incorporate the official 2012 Democratic National Convention logo.

For a full list of contest requirements and to download the logo, visit the official website — www.charlottein2012.com/postercontest

I hope you’ll enter your submission before December 31st.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dan Murrey Executive Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tune in to ABC’s 20/20 with Diane Sawyer tonight …Helene D. Gayle, CARE

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

CARE recently joined with ABC News and the United Nations Foundation in the Million Moms Challenge. This unique initiative engages millions of Americans with moms in poor countries around the world to connect — and act — on important issues, such as pregnancy, childbirth and children’s health.
Tonight, please tune in to ABC at 10:00 p.m. ET for a special edition of 20/20, “Making Life: A Risky Proposition.” Diane Sawyer will host an eye-opening report that sheds light on the challenges mothers face in developing countries. ABC talked to some of the women and girls CARE works with in Afghanistan, where we employ low-cost, low-tech solutions that can help save millions of lives.
We encourage you to share this e-mail with your friends on Facebook and Twitter or forward it to your friends. The more people we engage on this issue, the stronger our impact will be in helping mothers and their babies survive — and thrive.
Sincerely,
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH President and CEO, CARE

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

My wife, Jayni …Chevy Chase

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

I don’t know about you, but I get angry when I hear people claim that global warming isn’t real. We know that the science is clear and climate change is an urgent problem. And we need more people to learn the truth.

That’s why Al Gore has trained more than 3,000 people to give presentations about climate change. One of these people is my wife, Jayni. I’m so proud that she’s joined this group of dedicated volunteers who share the truth about climate change and explain why the deniers are wrong.

But these volunteers can’t do it without your help. This holiday season, will you donate $3 to help Presenters share the truth about climate change all over the world? Your contribution will make a big difference.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/donate2011

These volunteers give presentations in schools, community centers, businesses and places of worship. They help people learn about the science of climate change and how we can solve this crisis. The work they do is vital — we need more people to understand the urgency of this issue so we can demand solutions from our leaders.

This fall, The Climate Reality Project has received more than 2,000 requests for presentations, from 91 countries and all 50 U.S. states. In the next few months, hundreds of thousands of people are likely to see a climate presentation. The Climate Presenters are up to the challenge. It’s an exciting opportunity — but we need your help too.

It costs an average of $17 to fund a presentation. That’s based on the travel costs for volunteers who give presentations away from their homes. With only a small contribution, you can help Climate Presenters tell the truth about climate change all over the world.

This is work that’s deeply important to both my wife and me. I’d be grateful if you could do your part and help Climate Presenters succeed.
Help Climate Presenters explain why the deniers are wrong. Donate $3 to help let people know that climate change is a real and urgent crisis.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/donate2011

Thanks for all you do,
Chevy Chase
PS. Donate before December 31 at midnight to take advantage of your contribution being deductible as a charitable contribution in 2011 for United States federal income tax purposes.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/donate2011

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF &Some News

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

Isn’t it bad enough we have to hear Republicans , talking heads or Pundits use this moment to jack the President all around only to have to hear our own progressives and some libs say this that or the other about how the President has obviously mishandled crossing his t’s or dotting his i’s, I get heated when I hear this nonsense. I do not understand all the nic-pic nor is it worth the time because the lawmakers in Congress as territorial as they are create the laws and all those complaining about how the President should remind each other often. The ordinary person has no idea what is actually going on behind closed doors and we never will but taking what pundits, TV hosts or political strategists do for a living, as the truth is just wrong. I used to listen to those directly involved in our political process, which, if it is coming from the conservatives it unfortunately is growing in misinformation and a party meme that is not only extreme but gives me the creeps. The things happening in both Chambers of Congress since Republicans decided to go to the dark side has made this voter distrust most if not all the words coming from McConnell, speaker Boehner, leader cantor who put Profit before the People and then Grover Norquist ahead of country. Americans should not have to suffer at the hands of, because of or due to a small group of unruly Teapublicans who seem to have forgotten they not only are supposed to be our fellow Americans they were voted into office to work for all Americans not just their respective States. Yet, the Teapublican have proved to be scary and controlling the leaders of their party. They are reckless, ruthless, and insanely responsible for the S&P rating downgrade forced upon the US. It is obvious that the brinksmanship that Republicans engaged in gave the S&P a sense of uncertainty and a lack of trust in any break in the gridlock.

This has been a tough week; the rhetoric on the airwaves is always toxic but the nastiness even hints of discriminatory talk, which has been ongoing for the last 24 months seems to be increasing. If you listen to Teapublican surrogates, many are trying to stir up trouble for the President and or second-guessing what the debt deficit, the bad employment numbers and the economy’s effect on his bid for a second term. It is sad, disappointing, let alone irritating to have to listen to my own Political Party try and put his behavior in a box. The point is he has to do what he can to get to the ultimate end and that is to bring back the Middle and Lower Class as well as our Democracy. It is a heavy lift to take on decades long of BS only to have not only the opposition work to bring you down by bring the econ to the edge of death but with friends like the pl the rest of us Obama Supporters need to remember … Barack Obama said he could not do this by himself… why? because of the obstacles that is Teapublican ideology

FYI – how often do we have to remind those out on the ledge …the opposing party is not your father’s conservative political brand.

The last guy seemed to have done everything for his Oil and Corporate friends and very few things for the Middle and Lower classes if at all.

We may not all agree with the President’s efforts but given what he has to work with, I just do not understand why most progressives and or libs have been the worst whiners ever who also seem to be holding President Obama at a higher standard than President in the past. I like to think about where we would be if the McCain/Palin ticket had won but not too long, you will get sick. There is no question; President Obama has obstacles to jump over, Republicans like McConnell who stated his job is to make Barack Obama a one term President as well as a goal post that keeps being moved by the Republican Party. President Obama has delivered on about 85% of all his promises even with all the bs going on all political levels and will need ALL of our support – no whiners need apply as the professional and elite left demands seem driven with hints of childishness. Apparently, that type of behaviour is unacceptable from both sides of the political aisle and has been called out by Standard &Poor. Is anyone else offended that a group rumored to be among those “Raters” giving out random AAA ratings to worthless toxic waste is still recognized and respected. It makes me wonder just what side of the political aisle this group is from and given what we do know they need to answer some question and be investigated for their rumored part in our financial crisis.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the World. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Other News

Pres. Obama Speaks About Middle East Pea

UPDATE: Author & Journalist Christopher Hitchens Dies at Age 62 – click here for his C-SPAN appearances

Review Continues of Euro Debt Crisis and U.S. Impact

“The Contenders” Historians Roundtable Discussion

House Democrats on Jobs

House GOP Discuss Funding Deal

White House Responds to Spending Agreement