Tag Archives: California

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what’s going on in Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


April 12, 2011: The Senate will next convene at 10:00 a.m.ET

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11am, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider calendar #45, the nomination of Vincent Briccetti, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York and calendar #46, the nomination of John Kronstadt, of California, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California, with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

At 12:00pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Kronstadt nomination.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 6pm for debate only with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Also at 2:15pm, Senator Johnson (WI) will be recognized for up to 20 minutes to deliver his maiden speech to the Senate.

Votes:

58: Confirmation of John Kronstadt, of California, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California; Confirmed: 96-0

Unanimous Consent:

Confirmed executive calendar #45, the nomination of Vincent Briccetti, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

S.Res.142, congratulating the Lady Aggies of Texas A&M University on winning the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship

S.Res.143, supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on April 12, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 12, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:20 P.M. –

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

7:11 P.M. –

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

7:09 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 325 – 79, 2 Present (Roll no. 256).

7:04 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

S. 307:

to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the “W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse”

7:03 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 3, 1 Present (Roll no. 255).

6:56 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1308:

to amend the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act to extend the termination date for the Commission, and for other purposes

6:55 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 – 18 (Roll no. 254).

6:33 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:32 P.M. –

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

H. Con. Res. 33:

permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust

6:31 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered by unanimous consent.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

H. Res. 197:

electing Members to the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

6:30 P.M. –

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

Considered by unanimous consent.

S.J. Res. 8:

providing for the appointment of Stephen M. Case as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution

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

On passage Passed without objection.

6:29 P.M. –

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

Considered by unanimous consent.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 12.

5:25 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

S. 307:

to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the “W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse”

5:24 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.

5:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 307.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 1308:

to amend the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act to extend the termination date for the Commission, and for other purposes

5:11 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.

5:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1308.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

5:01 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 12.

2:10 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 p.m. today.

2:04 P.M. –

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

2:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Womack to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Womack demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Womack demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 12.

12:25 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:01 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable John Fleming to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Gas prices demand a Receipt Revolution


Gas Prices Demand a Receipt Revolution!   

 Tell Obama that Clean Cars are the Solution to Our Pain at the Pump …Stronger standards for cars strengthen America’s energy and economic security while giving drivers real choices in every class. Tell the president to side with people like you.

I’ll bet you’ve noticed that gas prices are once again hitting us hard, endangering America’s economic recovery. In his national news conference on gas prices, President Obama said that a long-term solution to this problem “cannot wait for the next generation, or the next president.”

We couldn’t agree more.

The Obama administration, in conjunction with the state of California, is working on new fuel efficiency and pollution standards (known as the “clean car standards”) for vehicles sold through 2025. These standards could be the single most important step toward making this pain at the pump a thing of the past, and meeting the objectives of the UCS Oil Savings Plan that would cut our projected oil use in half by 2030.

As gas prices rocket toward $4 per gallon and beyond, now is the time to tell President Obama your “pain at the pump” story, and that strong clean car standards are the number one option to help solve this problem once and for all.

Take Action Today!       www.ucsusa.org

Sincerely,

Scott Nathanson

National Field Organizer

Clean Vehicles Program

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Support for the Reporting of Multiple Sales of Long Guns -read the article for meaning of “Long Guns”


the 60-day emergency notice of information collection relating to ATF Form 3310.12 (Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles), published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2010. The Federal Register and supplement form may be found at: http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulings/rulemakings/general-notices.html

The primary purpose of this program is to improve law enforcement’s ability to identify firearms traffickers, to disrupt the criminal activity and to stop deadly violence plaguing the southwest border States and Mexico. The multiple sales reports will apply only to rifles that are semi-automatic, greater than .22 caliber, and have the ability to accept a detachable magazine. Federal firearms licensees in the States of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas will complete the forms for those transactions when an individual purchases two or more of these rifles within five business days. We intend to evaluate the results at the end of a 1 year pilot period.

As mentioned in the notice, if granted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the emergency approval of the form is valid for 180 days. All comments received in response to the notice will be carefully considered and, if warranted, revisions to the form will be made.

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RE: Support for the Reporting of Multiple Sales of Long Guns


Thank you for your comment regarding the 60-day emergency notice of information collection relating to ATF Form 3310.12 (Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles), published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2010. The Federal Register and supplement form may be found at: http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulings/rulemakings/general-notices.html

The primary purpose of this program is to improve law enforcement’s ability to identify firearms traffickers, to disrupt the criminal activity and to stop deadly violence plaguing the southwest border States and Mexico. The multiple sales reports will apply only to rifles that are semi-automatic, greater than .22 caliber, and have the ability to accept a detachable magazine. Federal firearms licensees in the States of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas will complete the forms for those transactions when an individual purchases two or more of these rifles within five business days. We intend to evaluate the results at the end of a 1 year pilot period.

As mentioned in the notice, if granted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the emergency approval of the form is valid for 180 days. All comments received in response to the notice will be carefully considered and, if warranted, revisions to the form will be made.

www.usdoj.gov

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Congress: In Session on 2/14 -The Senate & The Republican led House


the Senate Covenes at 2:00pmET  February 14, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization bill.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will turn to Executive session to consider the following nominations:

– Calendar #1, James E. Graves, of Mississippi, to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit; and

– Calendar #5, Edward J. Davila, of California, to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California.

There will be 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed.

At 5:30pm, there will be a voice vote on the Graves nomination and a roll call vote on the Davila nomination.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Wicker amendment #14, as modified (Excludes TSA from collective bargaining)

– Blunt amendment #5 (private screening company)

– Paul #21 (reduce authorization for FAA to FY2008 levels)

– Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

– Inhofe amendment #6 (liability protection to volunteer pilots)

– Inhofe amendment #7 (flight time limitations/rest requirements)

– Ensign amendment #32 (military remotely piloted aerial systems)

– McCain amendment #4 (Essential Air Service)

– Leahy amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots)

– Reid amendment #54 (noise buffering)

– Reid #55 (Convey federal land to Mesquite, NV)

– Udall (NM) #49 (Dona Ana County airport)

– Udall (NM) #51 (Advanced Imaging Technology)

– Nelson (NE) #58 (criminal penalties for distribution of airport screening x-rays)

– Paul amendment #18 (Memorandum of understanding re: OSHA)

– Baucus amendment #75, as modified (Finance title)

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Votes:

15: Confirmation of Edward J. Davila, of California, to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California; Confirmed: 93-0

Unanimous Consent:

S.Res.49, celebrating Black History Month

  **************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 14, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:25 P.M. –

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

7:11 P.M. –

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

7:09 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 352 – 59, 3 Present (Roll no. 37).

H.R. 514:

to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

7:03 P.M. –

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 275 – 144 (Roll no. 36).

6:54 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 186 – 234 (Roll no. 35).

6:33 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

6:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. Pending the reservation of a point of order, subsequently the reservation was withdrawn.

6:22 P.M. –

Mr. Thompson (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.

Mr. Thompson (CA) moved to recommit the bill, H.R. 514, to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: ¢ At the end of section 1, add the follwing new subsection: ¢ (c) COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTION. — ***

6:21 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 514.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 514 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 79.

5:11 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting his Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2012 – referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-3).

5:10 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a sealed envelope from the White House on February 14, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits his Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2012.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 14.

2:06 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

2:03 P.M. –

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Schock to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Schock demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Schock demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 14.

12:08 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:02 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

12:01 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Bishop to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.