The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July 28, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the Majority will control the next 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.5297, Small Business Jobs bill. Cloture was filed on the substitute amendment #4519 and the underlying bill. As a result, there is a 1:00pm filing deadline for germane first degree amendments to the Reid for Baucus-Landrieu substitute amendment (SA4519) and HR5297.
Unanimous Consent:
Concurred in House Message to accompany S.1749, the Cell Phone Contraband Act.

Adopted S.Res.598, a resolution designating September 2010 as “National Child Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.599, a resolution designating August 16, 2010, as “National Airborne Day”.

Adopted S.Res.600, a resolution to authorize document production and testimony by, and representation of, the Select Committee on Intelligence.

On July 29, 2010 we can expect the following: after Leader Reid remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.5297, Small Business Jobs bill. There will then be 1 hour debates prior to a cloture votes on substitute amendment.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 28, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

1 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

Mr. Thompson (PA) requested that Mr. Putnam be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on July 29.

9:08 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 5669:

to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federally owned land located in Story County, Iowa

9:07 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

9:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5669.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cardoza moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 4658:

to authorize the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Cherokee National Forest and to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the proceeds from that conveyance to acquire a parcel of land for inclusion in that national forest, and for other purposes

9:01 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

8:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4658.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cardoza moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1558:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that fruit and vegetable and commodity producers are encouraged to display the American flag on labels of products grown in the United States, reminding us all to take pride in the healthy bounty produced by American farmers and workers

8:57 P.M. –

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.

8:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1558.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cardoza moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5610:

to provide a technical adjustment with respect to funding for independent living centers under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in order to ensure stability for such centers

8:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5610.

Ms. Chu moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

H.R. 5875:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

8:43 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

8:05 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5875.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Price (NC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5874:

making supplemental appropriations for the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

8:04 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

7:46 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5874.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Mollohan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

7:45 P.M. –

Mr. Arcuri filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 1568 and H. Res. 1569.

H.R. 5872:

to provide adequate commitment authority for fiscal year 2010 for guaranteed loans that are obligations of the General and Special Risk Insurance Funds of the Department of Housing and Urban Development

7:43 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

7:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5872.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

7:39 P.M. –

Mr. Frank (MA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

7:38 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

H.R. 5822:

making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

7:37 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 411 – 6 (Roll no. 482).

7:20 P.M. –

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.

7:19 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5822.

On agreeing to the Garrett (NJ) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 128 – 296 (Roll no. 481).

7:10 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Gingrey (GA) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 353 – 69 (Roll no. 480).

6:41 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinshed business was the question on adoption amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:40 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garrett (NJ) amendment No. 14, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garrett (NJ) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

6:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garrett (NJ) amendment No. 14.

Amendment offered by Mr. Garrett (NJ).

An amendment numbered 14 printed in House Report 111-570 to increase funding for the Grants for Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries account by $7,000,000 and decrease funding for the Grants for Construction, Minor Projects account by $7,000,000.

6:28 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Peters amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

6:25 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters amendment No. 13.

Amendment offered by Mr. Peters.

An amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 111-570 to decrease the Veteran’s Administration General Operating Expense account by $150,000, then increase it by $150,000, for the purpose of directing the VA to create a program to review all contracts after every 90 day period of inactivity to determine if the funds obligated for the contract could be deobligated and returned to the account from which the funds were obligated to be put to better use.

6:24 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Peters amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

6:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters amendment No. 12.

Amendment offered by Mr. Peters.

An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 111-570 to decrease the Veteran’s Administration General Operating Expense account by $50,000, then increase it by $50,000, for the purpose of directing the VA to implement a program that would re-label prescription drugs used in VA hospitals to be sent home with discharged patients for outpatient use. Currently, veterans often have to go right to the pharmacy to refill what was discarded.

6:21 P.M. –

By unanimous consent, the Bilirakis amendment was withdrawn.

6:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bilirakis amendment No. 11.

Amendment offered by Mr. Bilirakis.

An amendment numbered 11 printed in House Report 111-570 to require the Veterans Administration to acquire and construct up to four long-term care residential brain injury medical facilities.

6:09 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Halvorson amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

6:05 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Halvorson amendment No. 10.

6:04 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mrs. Halvorson.

An amendment numbered 10 printed in House Report 111-570 to subtract $10,000,000 from General Operating Expenses and will add $10,000,000 to Major Construction Projects.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gingrey amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gingrey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

5:59 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gingrey amendment No. 9.

5:58 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Gingrey (GA).

An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 111-570 to prohibit any funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense under this Act to be used to renovate or construct any facility within the Continental United States for the purpose of housing any individual who has been detained, at any time after September 11, 2001, at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

5:57 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Gingrey (GA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

5:54 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gingrey amendment No. 8.

5:53 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Gingrey (GA).

An amendment numbered 8 printed in House Report 111-570 to prohibit funds under the Act from being used to exercise the power of eminent domain without payment of just compensation.

5:52 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Hill amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

5:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hill amendment No. 7.

5:48 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Hill.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 111-570 to decrease the Veteran’s Administration General Operating Expense account by $100,000, then increase it by $100,000, for the purpose of directing the VA to examine its practices in how it accounts for returned Post-9/11 GI Benefit payments from either a veteran or an institute of higher learning, and for the purpose of directing the VA to issue a report to Congress no later than Jan. 1, 2011, on any changes made or planned to be made to increase efficiency and timeliness of accounting for returned payments.

By unanimous consent, the Flake amendment was withdrawn.

5:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment No. 6.

5:36 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 111-570 to prohibit funding for all of the member-requested earmarks for military construction projects.

On agreeing to the Cuellar amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

5:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cuellar amendment No. 5.

5:34 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Cuellar.

An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 111-570 to prohibit first class travel under this Act.

On agreeing to the Buyer amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

5:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Buyer amendment No. 4.

Amendment offered by Mr. Buyer.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 111-570 to provide $10 million to fund the second year of the VA-US Paralympics Adaptive Sports Program for disabled veterans.

On agreeing to the Buyer amendment as modified Agreed to by voice vote.

5:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Buyer amendment No. 3, as modified.

Buyer amendment modified by unanimous consent. The amendment as modified make $162,734,000 available for “Medical Facilities”.

5:21 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Buyer.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 111-570 to provide $162,734,000 of the amounts appropriated for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Minor Construction for renewable energy projects at VA medical facility campuses.

On agreeing to the Buyer amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

5:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Buyer amendment No. 2.

Amendment offered by Mr. Buyer.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 111-570 to provide $10 million to fund additional professional level VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment counselors.

5:18 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Holt amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

5:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1559, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 1.

5:09 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Holt.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 111-570 to instruct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to set aside at least $20 million for suicide outreach prevention via direct advertising and the use of online social media.

4:19 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5822.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Donna F. Edwards to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1559 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5822 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Specified amendments are in order. Points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1559.

H.R. 5827:

to amend title 11 of the United States Code to include firearms in the types of property allowable under the alternative provision for exempting property from the estate

4:17 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 307 – 113 (Roll no. 479).

4:08 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1543:

honoring the educational significance of Dr. Jane Goodall’s work on this the 50th anniversary of the beginning of her work in Tanzania, Africa

4:07 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0 (Roll no. 478).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

4:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4692:

to require the President to prepare a quadrennial National Manufacturing Strategy, and for other purposes

4:00 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 – 38 (Roll no. 477).

3:51 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinshed business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 1559:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5822) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules

3:50 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 178 (Roll no. 476).

3:20 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

2:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1559

2:31 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

On motion to consider the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

At the conclusion of debate on the Flake point of order, the Chair put the question on consideration of the resolution.

2:21 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION – Mr. Flake stated that the provisions of H.Res. 1559 violate section 426(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 by imposing an unfunded mandate and made a point of order against the consideration of the resolution. Subsequently, the Chair noted that the required threshold of identifying the specific language in question had been met, and the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the question of consideration. At the conclusion of debate on the question of consideration, the Chair will put the question to wit: Will the House now consider the resolution?

2:14 P.M. –

By direction of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Pingree called up the resolution, H.Res. 1559, and asked for its immediate consideration.

H.R. 5751:

to amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require registrants to pay an annual fee of $50, to impose a penalty of $500 for failure to file timely reports required by that Act, to provide for the use of the funds from such fees and penalties for reviewing and auditing filings by registrants, and for other purposes

2:12 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

1:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5751.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

S. 1789:

to restore fairness to Federal cocaine sentencing

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

1:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1789.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 2480:

to improve the accuracy of fur product labeling, and for other purposes

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

1:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2480.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sarbanes moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1499:

honoring the achievements of Dr. Robert M. Campbell, Jr., to provide children with lifesaving medical care

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

12:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1499.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H.R. 1796:

to amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to require residential carbon monoxide detectors to meet the applicable ANSI/UL standard by treating that standard as a consumer product safety rule, to encourage States to require the installation of such detectors in homes, and for other purposes

12:56 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

12:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1796.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sarbanes moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1481:

supporting the goals and ideals of “National Save for Retirement Week”, including raising public awareness of the various tax-preferred retirement vehicles and increasing personal financial literacy

12:40 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

12:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1481.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Schwartz moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 1875:

to establish an Emergency Commission To End the Trade Deficit

12:32 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

11:56 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1875.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Levin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5156:

to provide for the establishment of a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to assist United States businesses with exporting clean energy technology products and services

11:54 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

11:21 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5156.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Deutch moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 4692:

to require the President to prepare a quadrennial National Manufacturing Strategy, and for other purposes

11:19 A.M. –

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.

10:34 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4692.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Rush moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

10:32 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:03 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4380 and H.R. 5849.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Pingree of ME to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Shawn Black, Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, California

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

** Pelosi: By Obstructing Vote on DISCLOSE Act, Senate Republicans Put Special Interests Ahead of American People (07/27/2010)

**Pelosi: Oil Spill Response Package Puts $5 Billion Toward Deficit Reduction (07/27/2010)