Tag Archives: Cloture

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress:debates & votes today -the Republican led House -the Senate


The Senate Convenes at  9:30amET March 8, 2011

Morning business for 2 hours with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first hour and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.23, the America Invents Act, post-cloture.

By unanimous consent, all time during adjournment, morning business and recess will count post-cloture on S.23.

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

The Majority Leader hopes to reach an agreement regarding H.R.1 and the Democratic alternative. Senators should expect roll call votes during Tuesday’s session of the Senate.

The Senate has reached an agreement to complete action on S.23, America Invents Act, tonight and to set up votes on H.R.1 and the Democratic alternative offered by Senator Inouye tomorrow at 3pm.

Under the agreement, the Reid amendment #152 was withdrawn and the Reid amendment #143 (EPSCOR), was modified and agreed to. There will now there will be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote on passage of S.23, as amended, the America Invents Act. Senators should expect the vote on passage to begin around 6:15pm, if all time is used. However, time may be yielded back.

Furthermore, at 12:00 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, March 9, there will be up to 3 hours for debate on H.R.1 and the Democratic alternative offered by Senator Inouye. Upon the use or yielding back of time, there will be 2 roll call votes on the following items:

– Passage of H.R.1, Department of Defense Appropriation and Long Term Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2011; and

– Inouye substitute amendment #149 (Democratic Alternative).

Each proposal will be subject to 60-vote thresholds. If H.R.1 achieves 60 votes, it will be read a third time and passed and, if it doesn’t achieve 60 votes, Senator Reid will be recognized to offer the Inouye substitute amendment #149. If the Substitute achieves 60 votes, the bill, as amended, would be read a third time and passed, and if it doesn’t achieve 60 votes it will be returned to the calendar. No motions or amendments are in order to the substitute or the bill prior to the votes.

Cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.1 was vitiated.

Votes:

35: Passage of S.23, as amended, the America Invents Act;

Passed: 95-5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 8, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:09 P.M. –

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

7:07 P.M. –

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

7:04 P.M. –

Mr. Bishop (UT) filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 150 and H. Res. 151.

H. Res. 149:

electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives

7:03 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Larson (CT) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.

Considered by unanimous consent.

H.R. 525:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance and increase the number of veterinarians trained in veterinary public health

7:01 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): 280 – 138 (Roll no. 164).

6:53 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 570:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance the roles of dentists and allied dental personnel in the Nation’s disaster response framework, and for other purposes

6:52 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): 401 – 12 (Roll no. 163).

6:31 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:30 P.M. –

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

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 8.

4:31 P.M. –

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

4:30 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification that the national emergency with respect to Iran shall continue – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-13).

H.R. 525:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance and increase the number of veterinarians trained in veterinary public health

4:29 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.

4:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 525.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 570:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance the roles of dentists and allied dental personnel in the Nation’s disaster response framework, and for other purposes

4:22 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.

4:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 570.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

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

4:12 P.M. –

The House received a communication from the Honorable Mrs. Christensen . Mrs. Christensen submitted her resignation from the Committee on Homeland Security. The resignation was accepted without objection.

The House received a communication from Robin Reeder, Archivist, Office of the Clerk. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Reeder notified the House that she had been served with a civil subpoena, issued before the Evidentiary Panel for the State Bar of Texas, for documents and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was inconsistent with the precedents and privileges of the House.

The House received a communication from the Honorable Mrs. Christensen . Mrs. Christensen submitted her resignation from the Committee on Natural Resources. The resignation was accepted without objection.

4:01 P.M. –

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx 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.

4:00 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 March 8.

2:23 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.

2:00 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATES – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 4:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: in Session in both Chambers -the Senate -the Republican led House


 the Senate Convened at 9:30amET 2/17/2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, FAA Authorization. There will be 2 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents prior to a cloture vote on the Inhofe amendment #7, as modified. Senators should expect the cloture vote on the Inhofe amendment to begin around 12:10pm.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.223 is up until the cloture vote.

Additional roll call votes are expected to occur throughout the day.

By unanimous consent, the cloture vote on the Inhofe amendment was vitiated. The Hutchison amendment #93, as further further modified, was agreed to by voice vote. Then the Inhofe amendment #7, as amended, was agreed to by voice vote.

By unanimous consent at 2:00pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.223, FAA Authorization.

The Senate has reached an agreement to wrap up consideration of the FAA bill tonight. Under the agreement, there will now be up to 14 minutes for debate prior to a series of votes in relation to amendments to FAA and on passage of the bill. Senator Coburn controls 10 minutes, Senator Schumer controls 2 minutes, and Senator Brown (OH) controls 2 minutes.

The Senate would then proceed to vote in relation to the following items:

– Coburn amendment #64 (Rescind unused earmarks);

– Brown-Portman second degree amendment #105 (unmanned aerial systems) to Ensign amendment #32;

– Ensign amendment #32, as amended, (remotely piloted aerial systems);

– Reid amendment #54, as modified (noise buffering);

– Udall (NM) amendment #49, as modified (Dona Ana County airport);

– Udall (NM) amendment #51, as modified (advanced imaging technology);

– Coburn amendment #8o, as modified, (limit essential air service to locations that are 100 or more miles away from the nearest medium or large hub airport);

– Coburn amendment #81 (limit essential air service to locations that average 10 or more enplanements per day);

– Coburn amendment #91 (repeal decrease federal share of project costs);

– Schumer amendment #71 (helicopter noise pollution in residential areas);

–10 minutes for debate—

– Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots) (60-vote threshold)

– Passage of S.223, FAA Authorization, as amended.

We expect voice votes on Coburn #64, Brown-Portman #105, Ensign #32, Reid #54, Udall (NM) #49, Udall (NM) #51 and Schumer #71 and roll call votes on the 3 Coburn amendments (80-81, and 91), Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50, and passage of S.223. As a result, senators should expect a series of 5 roll call votes to begin at approximately 7:20pm.

Text of the agreement can be found below.

Leader: I ask unanimous consent the pending amendments be set aside and Senator Coburn be recognized to offer his amendment #64; that after the amendment is reported, the Senate proceed to a vote in relation to the Coburn amendment; and that no amendments be in order to the Coburn amendment prior to the vote.

Upon disposition of the Coburn amendment #64, the pending amendments be set aside and Senator Coburn be recognized for up to 10 minutes to offer amendments #80, with a modification which is at the desk, #81 and #91; and Senator Schumer be recognized for up to two minutes to offer amendment #71; Senator Brown (OH) be recognized for up to two minutes to call up the Brown-Portman amendment #105 to the Ensign amendment #32 and the Reid amendment #54 and the Udall amendment #51 be modified with the changes that are at the desk; the Wyden amendment #27 be withdrawn; and the Senate then proceed to votes in relation to the following amendments in the order listed:

Brown-Portman amendment #105;

Ensign #32, as amended;

Reid #54, as modified;

Udall #49, as modified;

Udall#51, as further modified;

Coburn #80, as modified;

Coburn #81;

Coburn #91; and

Schumer #71.

Further, there be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote listed above; that notwithstanding rule 22, the Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50 remain in order and that upon disposition of the Schumer #71, there be 10 minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to a vote in relation to the Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50; that the Leahy-Inhofe amendment be subject to a 60 vote threshold for passage; that if it does not achieve 60 affirmative votes, the amendment not be agreed to; and that there be no amendments in order to any of the amendments listed in this agreement prior to the votes;

Further, upon disposition of the Leahy-Inhofe amendment, there be no further amendments or motions in order to the bill, except for a managers’ package, to be agreed to if it has the concurrence of the Majority and Republican Leaders; the bill then be read a third time and the Senate proceed to a vote on passage of the bill, as amended; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; and if the bill is passed, it be held at the desk.

Finally, that when the Senate receives the House companion to S.223, as determined by the two Leaders, it be in order for the Majority Leader to proceed to its immediate consideration; strike all after the enacting clause and insert the text of S.223, as passed by the Senate, in lieu thereof; that the companion bill, as amended, be read a third time, the statutory PAYGO statement be read and the bill be passed; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that upon passage, the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate with a ratio of 5-4; all with no intervening action or debate.

Votes:

Hutchison amendment #93: as further further modified was agreed to by voice vote.

Inhofe amendment #7: , as amended was agreed to by voice vote.

20: Motion to invoke cloture on S.223, FAA Authorization;

Invoked: 96-2

21: Rockefeller motion to table the McCain amendment #4: (Strikes Essential Air Service); Tabled: 61-38

22: Motion to table the Paul amendment #18: (FAA/OSHA memorandum of understanding); Tabled: 52-47

23: Rockefeller motion to table Coburn amendment #80: , as modified, (limit essential air service to locations that are 100 or more miles away from the nearest medium or large hub airport);

Not Tabled: 34-65, subsequently agreed to by consent.

Coburn amendment #81: (limit essential air service to locations that average 10 or more enplanements per day);

Passed by voice vote

24: Rockefeller motion to table Coburn amendment #91: (repeal decrease federal share of project costs);

Tabled: 59-40

Schumer amendment #71: (helicopter noise pollution in residential areas) agreed to by voice vote;

–10 minutes for debate—

Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50: (liability protection for volunteer pilots);

Agreed to by voice vote

25: Passage of S.223, FAA Authorization, as amended; Passed: 87-8

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.60, a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the date of enactment of the law that created real estate investment trusts (REITS).

Passed S.365, a bill to make a technical amendment to the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002.

Passed S.307, a bill 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”.

Passed S.266, a bill to redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the “Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge”.

Adopted S.Res.72, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater;

Adopted S.Res.73, Democracy in Iran;

Adopted S.Res.74, designating February 28, 2011 as “Rare Disease Day;

Adopted S.Res.75, National March 25, 2011 as “National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day”; and

Adopted S.Res.76, 14th Quartermaster Detachment of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Passed H.Con.Res.17, adjournment resolution.

Confirmed Stephanie O’Sullivan, of Virginia, to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence.

Amendments to S.223 agreed to:

Coburn amendment #64 (Rescind unused earmarks);

Brown-Portman second degree amendment #105 (unmanned aerial systems) to

Ensign amendment #32;

Ensign amendment #32, as amended, (remotely piloted aerial systems);

Reid amendment #54, as modified (noise buffering);

Udall (NM) amendment #49, as modified (Dona Ana County airport);

Udall (NM) amendment #51, as modified (advanced imaging technology);

Lautenberg #10, as modified (change date for noise level)

Pryor #22 (cap local cost share)

Klobuchar #37, as modified (public use airport projects)

Cantwell #46, as modified (airline carrier bankruptcy)

Murkowski #53 (emergency locator transmitter)

Hutchison #57 (airport maintenance)

Cochran #59 (explosive pest control devices)

Cantwell #65 (navigation performance procedures)

Inhofe #86 (model aircraft)

Boxer #94 (child safety seats)

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 17, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

1:10 A.M. –

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 18, 2011.

Mr. Carter moved that the House do now adjourn.

1:08 A.M. –

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Mr. Hastings of FL, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Cohen .

United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly – the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Mr. Ross of AR, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Austin Scott and Ms. Schwartz .

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Carter moved that the Committee rise.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Poe amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Poe demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:42 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Poe amendment number 466.

Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).

An amendment numbered 466 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds by EPA to implement, administer, or enforce any statutory or regulatory requirement pertaining to emissions of greenhouse gases.

12:41 A.M. –

By unanimous consent, the Fortenberry amendment was withdrawn.

12:40 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fortenberry amendment number 483 pending reservation of a point of order.

12:39 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Fortenberry.

An amendment numbered 483 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds for or in sterilization campaigns.

12:38 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

12:33 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment number 23.

Amendment offered by Mr. Hastings (FL).

An amendment numbered 23 printed in the Congressional Record to eliminate reductions in funds for NIH, CDC and HRSA.

12:31 A.M. –

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

12:26 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fortenberry amendment number 424.

Amendment offered by Mr. Fortenberry.

An amendment numbered 424 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds to provide assistance to Chad in the form of IMET, FMF, provision of excess defense articles, foreign military forces capacity assistance and direct commercial sales of military equipment.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:17 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler amendment number 524.

Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler.

An amendment numbered 524 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds for making application under FISA for an order requiring the production of library circulation records, library patron lists, book sales records, or book customer lists.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Young (AK) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:05 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Young (AK) amendment number 533.

Amendment offered by Mr. Young (AK).

An amendment numbered 533 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds by the Environmental Appeals Board to consider, review, reject, remand, or otherwise invalidate any permit issued for Outer Continental Shelf sources located offshore of the States along the Arctic Coast under the Clean Air Act.

12:04 A.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

12:03 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:01 A.M. –

Pursuant to the provisions of the unanimous consent agreement adopted just prior to midnight, the House proceeded with further consideration of H.R. 1.

11:59 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Rogers of Kentucky asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to House Resolution 92, no further amendment to the bill may be offered except: (1) pro forma amendments offered at any point in the reading by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations for the purpose of debate; (2) amendments printed in the Congressional Record and contained on a list submitted to the desk. Upon removal of reservations of objection, the unanimous consent request was subsequently agreed to.

11:49 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1 as unfinished business.

11:48 P.M. –

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the Committee rise.

11:47 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pence amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pence demanded a recorded vote and the Chai r postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced

9:56 P.M. –

The Committee resumed its sitting and continued with debate on the Pence amendment.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 17.

9:55 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

8:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pence amendment number 11 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Pence.

An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.

8:56 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kline amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Kline demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:01 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kline amendment number 214 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Kline.

An amendment numbered 214 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds for the use of the “Program Integrity: Gainful Employment-New Programs” section of the bill.

7:56 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nadler amendment number 232 under the five-minute rule.

7:28 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler.

An amendment numbered 232 printed in the Congressional Record to limit the use of funds for the United States military operations in Afghanistan to no more than $10,000,000,000.

7:27 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McCollum amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. McCollum demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCollum amendment number 50 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Ms. McCollum.

An amendment numbered 50 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the Department of Defense sponsorship of NASCAR race cars.

7:07 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Holt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 163 – 265 (Roll no. 89).

7:03 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Frank (MA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 160 – 270 (Roll no. 88).

7:00 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Scalise amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 249 – 179, 1 Present (Roll no. 87).

6:56 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Carter amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 – 177 (Roll no. 86).

6:53 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Lummis amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 197 (Roll no. 85).

6:50 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Camp amendment Failed by recorded vote: 137 – 292, 1 Present (Roll no. 84).

6:45 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Walden amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 181 (Roll no. 83).

6:42 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Price (NC) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 267 – 159, 1 Present (Roll no. 82).

6:38 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Cole amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 247 – 175 (Roll no. 81).

6:34 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Woolsey amendment Failed by recorded vote: 91 – 339 (Roll no. 80).

6:10 P.M. –

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

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Holt amendment number 506 under the five-minute rule.

5:21 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Holt.

An amendment numbered 506 printed in the Congressional Record to revise by reducing the amount made available for “Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Enforcement”, and increasing the amounts provided in section 1517(a) for transfer from the Federal Reserve to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection for activities authorized to carried out by such Bureau under title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Consumer Protection Act.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Frank(MA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Frank (MA) amendment number 458 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Frank (MA).

An amendment numbered 458 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the amount made available to the “Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue” and the “General Services Administration” and increase the amount made available to the “Independent Agencies, Securities and Exchange Commission, Salaries and Expenses” by $131,000,000.

4:32 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scalise amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Carter demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment number 204 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Scalise.

An amendment numbered 204 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to pay the salaries and expenses for specified federal agency positions and their offices.

3:54 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Carter amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Carter amendment number 165 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Carter.

An amendment numbered 165 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement, administer, or enforce the rule entitled “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants” published by the Environmental Protection Agency on September 9, 2010.

3:09 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Wasserman Schultz amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:07 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Wasserman Schultz amendment number 211 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

An amendment numbered 211 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the amount made available to the “Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Justice Assistance” for carrying out title I of the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 by $30,000,000.

3:05 P.M. –

Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Lee (CA) amendment Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

3:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lee (CA) amendment number 222 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Lee (CA).

An amendment numbered 222 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for any account of the Department of Defense (except Military personnel, reserve personnel, National Guard personnel, and the Defense Health Program account) in excess of the amount made available for such account for fiscal year 2010, unless the financial statements of the Department for fiscal year 2010 are validated as ready for audit within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

2:59 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lummis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:30 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis amendment number 195 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.

An amendment numbered 195 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the payment of fees and other expenses under section 504 of title 5, United States Code, or section 2412(d) of title 28, United States Code.

2:29 P.M. –

Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Eshoo amendment Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:50 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Eshoo amendment number 576 under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Eshoo.

An amendment numbered 576 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to enter into any contract with a corporation or other business entity that does not disclose its political contributions.

1:49 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Camp amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Camp demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Camp amendment number 516 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Camp.

An amendment numbered 516 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the opening of the locks at the Thomas J. O’Brien Lock and Dam or the Chicago River Controlling Works.

1:22 P.M. –

Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Woolsey amendment Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Woolsey amendment number 413 under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Woolsey.

An amendment numbered 413 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds in the Department of Defens overseas contingency operations budget for military operations in Afghanistan unless the President seeks to negotiate and enter into a bilateral status of forces agreement with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

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

1:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lowey amendment number 334 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Lowey.

An amendment numbered 334 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to provide grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative under section 2003 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 604).

1:15 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Walden amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walden demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Wadlen amendment under the five-minute rule.

12:20 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Walden.

An amendment numbered 404 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds used to implement the Report and Order of the Federal Communications Commission relating to the matter of preserving the open Internet and broadband industry practices (FCC 10-201, adopted by the Commission on December 21, 2010.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Price (NC) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Aderholt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Price (NC) amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Price (NC).

An amendment numbered 514 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to enforce the requirements in – 1. section 34(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974.

12:11 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cole amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Serrano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cole amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Cole.

An amendment numbered 208 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds used to carry out chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

11:38 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Woolsey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Woolsey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:32 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Woolsey amendment under the five-minute rule pending a reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.

Amendment offered by Ms. Woolsey.

An amendment numbered 189 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds available by division A of this Act may not be used to research, develop, test, evaluate, or procure any the following: 1) Expeditionary Fighting Vechile; 2) V-22 Osprey aircraft

11:14 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Sessions amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 250 (Roll no. 79).

11:10 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Heller amendment Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 241 (Roll no. 78).

11:06 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Canseco amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 274 – 155 (Roll no. 77).

11:03 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Weiner amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 268 – 163 (Roll no. 76).

10:59 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Price (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 250 (Roll no. 75).

10:57 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 313 – 117 (Roll no. 74).

10:54 A.M. –

On agreeing to the McMorris Rodgers amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 249 – 179 (Roll no. 73).

10:50 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 115 – 316 (Roll no. 72).

10:47 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Bass (NH) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 104 – 322, 2 Present (Roll no. 71).

10:43 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Reed amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 239 – 186 (Roll no. 70).

10:40 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Canseco amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 248 – 177 (Roll no. 69).

10:36 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Walberg amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 217 – 209 (Roll no. 68).

10:29 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 256 (Roll no. 67).

10:11 A.M. –

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

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

10:10 A.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

10:09 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 6.

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

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 279 – 143 (Roll no. 66).

9:42 A.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

9:16 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 514.

Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

9:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Carnahan 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.

9:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Mark Williamson, Federal Intercessors, Houston, Texas

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the House is on break until 2/8 – the Senate will be in Session on 1/27 –the snow is a problem


the Senate Convenes: 10:30amET January 27, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of several resolutions relating to changing the Senate rules, en bloc. There will be up to 8 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. If all time is used, at approximately 7:15pm there will be a series of up to 5 roll call votes in relation to the following resolutions:

-The Senate will recess from 1pm until 2:15pmET to allow for the Democratic caucus meeting.

Votes:

Series of up to 5 roll call votes expected to begin around 4:30pm:

2: S.Res.28 (Wyden), to establish as a standing order of the Senate that a Senator publicly disclose a notice of intent to objecting to any measure or matter (60-vote threshold); Adopted: 92-4

3: S.Res.29 (Udall (CO)), to permit the waiving of the reading of an amendment if the text and adequate notice are provided (60-vote threshold); Adopted: 81-15

4: S.Res.8 (Harkin), amending the Standing Rules of the Senate to provide for cloture to be invoked with less than a three-fifths majority after additional debate (67-vote threshold); Not Adopted: 12-82

5: Now voting on S.Res.10 (Udall (NM)), as amended by Udall (NM) amendment #1, to improve the debate and consideration of legislative matters and nominations in the Senate (67-vote threshold);Not Adopted 44-51 and

_

6: S.Res.21 (Merkley), as amended by Merkley amendment #2: (substitute) (67-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 46-49

 Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res31: a resolution commemorating the 110th anniversary of the United States Army Nurse Corps.

Adopted S.Res.32: a resolution designating the month of February 2011 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”.

Adopted S.Res.33, a resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of the admittance of the state of Kansas to the United States as the 34th state.

_________________________________________________________

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for Febuary 8, 2011

 

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Call Sens. Cantwell and Murray: Jimmy would be proud


The Senate is getting ready to vote on a crucial reform to end the abuse of stalling tactics in Washington. So we need to make sure our senators hear right away how important this reform is to voters at home. Can you call Sens. Cantwell and Murray today and ask them to support rules reform and end the abuse of filibusters?

Senator Maria Cantwell
Phone: 202-224-3441

Senator Patty Murray
Phone: 202-224-2621


Remember when Jimmy Stewart takes the Senate floor in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington“ and refuses to cede it until he’s made his point? That’s how filibusters are supposed to work: A principled senator would stand up in the light of day to stop the majority from doing something bad.

These days, though, filibusters—the procedure that the minority party in the Senate uses to block a majority favored bill—don’t work that way. All it takes is one anonymous objection from a single senator to trigger a filibuster. In fact, in the 1960s, only 8% of all bills were blocked by a filibuster—but since 2006 that has ballooned to more than 70%.1

Now, Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Merkley are pushing for rule changes that would end the abuse of the filibuster. Those changes could come up for a vote as soon as this week. So we need to speak out right away to show how important this reform is to voters at home. Can you call Sens. Cantwell and Murray and ask them to support rules reform to end abuse of the filibuster?

Here’s where to call:

Senator Maria Cantwell
Phone: 202-224-3441

Senator Patty Murray
Phone: 202-224-2621

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSWA_2.FSWA_1&cp_id=1515&id=25709-9640874-OU6kWHx&t=3

This vote is not about ending the filibuster or crushing minority rights in government. It’s about returning our government to a more democratic and transparent process.

In the last two Congressional terms Democrats have had to overcome more than 275 filibusters—the most in history.2

Here’s what the New York Times says is on the table for rules reform:3

“No lazy filibusters. At least 10 senators would have to file a filibuster petition, and members would have to speak continuously on the floor to keep the filibuster going. To ensure the seriousness of the attempt, the requirements would grow each day: five senators would have to hold the floor for the first day, 10 the second day, etc. Those conducting the filibuster would thus have to make their case on camera. (A cloture vote of 60 senators would still be required to break the blockade.)

“Fewer bites of the apple. Republicans now routinely filibuster not only the final vote on a bill, but the initial motion to even debate it, as well as amendments and votes on conference committees. Breaking each of these filibusters adds days or weeks to every bill. The plan would limit filibusters to the actual passage of a bill.

“Minority amendments. Harry Reid, the majority leader, frequently prevents Republicans from offering amendments because he fears they will lead to more opportunities to filibuster. Republicans say they mount filibusters because they are precluded from offering amendments. This situation would be resolved by allowing a fixed number of amendments from each side on a bill, followed by a fixed amount of debate on each one.”

Please call Sens. Cantwell and Murray today and ask them to support rules reform to end abuse of the filibuster.

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Michael, Ilyse, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “A nuclear Senate,” Los Angeles Times, December 28, 2010 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205631&id=25709-9640874-OU6kWHx&t=4

2. Reform and the Filibuster, New York Times, January 2, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205632&id=25709-9640874-OU6kWHx&t=5

3. Reform and the Filibuster, New York Times, January 2, 2011 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205632&id=25709-9640874-OU6kWHx&t=6

Want to support our work? We’re entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

SENATE: Time To Fix The Senate


“I’m not a member of any organized party,” Will Rogers once quipped. “I am a Democrat.” Yet, the Democratic Party showed remarkable unity when every single returning Democratic senator signed a letter last month to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) “urging him to change the Senate’s filibuster rules when Congress reconvenes in January.” Among the proposed revisions that are most likely to be championed by these Democrats include a role that senators have to “remain on the floor to sustain” filibusters. Indeed, during the past few years, the filibuster has been transformed from a rarely used procedure into an unprecedented tool for obstruction and, along with other obstructive procedures like secret holds, has prevented the passage of  hundreds of bills and the confirmation of countless previously uncontroversial nominees. By pursuing reform of the filibuster and other Senate procedures, progressive reformers in the Senate are embracing what Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) calls the “Constitutional Option” — the right of a Senate to write its own rules at the beginning of each Congress. Soon, these reformers will make their case before the U.S. Senate and the American people. At stake in this battle is the very notion of an open and accountable government that can respond to the public’s wishes and not be obstructed by an obstinate minority.

A VERY MODERN TOOL OF OBSTRUCTION: One common misperception about the filibuster is that it has always been a feature of the U.S. Senate and thus, American government. Yet the filibuster as we know it today did not exist at the country’s founding. Originally, “both the Senate and House of Representatives had a rule called the Previous Question Motion, where a simple majority [of votes] ended debate. … But the Senate dropped this provision in 1806,  leaving open the potential for a filibuster.” Even then, the first filibuster in American history didn’t take place until 1841. In the 19th century, there were “less than a dozen filibusters enacted.” In 1917, the cloture rule was adopted, requiring that two-thirds of senators to agree to stop debate. In 1975, this was  pared down to three-fifths’ approval. In the past few decades, the use of the filibuster has dramatically spiked. From 1991-1992, there were only 59 cloture filings. During the 2007-2008 legislative year, there were a record 139 (compared to just seven during a time as politically polarized as the 1969-1970 Senate session). And while many Americans may imagine that the filibuster is   used the same way that James Stewart’s character used it in the 1930s film classic Mr. Smith Goes To Washington — where the actor kept talking until he collapsed in order to keep his filibuster going — the modern day practice does not even require a senator to stay on the floor to sustain a filibuster, rather it requires 60 votes to end one.

OBSTRUCTING PROGRESS: As previously mentioned, the use of the filibuster to obstruct the will of the democratically elected majority from enacting the agenda voters want has been slowly rising over the past few decades and grew dramatically over the past couple years as Senate Republicans sought to block President Obama and the Democratic majority’s programs. According to official Senate records, there were  136 cloture motions filed from 2009 to 2010, just three motions short of the record-breaking 2007-2008 year. This unprecedented use of the filibuster by the Senate minority dramatically slowed down the government, and made hundreds of bills passed by the House stall on the Senate floor. In many cases, a minority of legislators, often buoyed by special interests, deployed the filibuster to kill legislation that was supported by huge majorities of the American people. For example, the threat of a filibuster was a major factor in the death of the public health insurance option, which had the support of 72 percent of Americans, according to a June 2009 CBS News/New York Times poll. Sen. Byron Dorgan’s (D-ND) amendment that would have allowed drug reimportation from Canada was defeated even though it  received 51 votes; 77 percent of Americans supported that policy according to Kaiser Health polling. Last month, Senate Republicans deployed the filibuster to   defeat the DREAM Act, which a November 2010 Lake Research poll found had the support of 66 percent of Americans, including 57 percent of Republicans. Additionally, obstructionists have also made use of secret holds to “anonymously block bills or confirmations of presidential nominees from reaching the floor for an unlimited time span, making naked obstructionism politically safe“; this process has left almost one in nine federal judgeships vacant. Also, current Senate rules even allow filibustering senators to force up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate once a filibuster is broken, continuing to delay progress on important legislation.

PATHS OF REFORM: Earlier this year, Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) delivered an address about conservative obstruction at an event at the Center for American Progress Action Fund titled “Deliberation, Obstruction or Dysfunction? Evaluating the Modern U.S. Senate and its Contribution to American Governance.” At the event, Udall discussed what he called the “Constitutional Option,” which he described as the Senate having the ability to alter its rules with a simple majority vote at the beginning of each Congress. Udall has enlisted the support of a number of other senators, and they plan to push for a reform of the chamber’s rules starting on its first day, January 5. There are several different plans being proposed for changing Senate rules. Udall, along with others such as Sen.  Claire McCaskill (D-MO), wants to end secret holds. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has proposed requiring a “specific number of Senators…to be on the floor to sustain the filibuster. This would be required even during quorum calls. At any point, a member could call for a count of the senators on the floor who stand in opposition to the regular order, and if the count falls below the required level, the regular order prevails and a   majority vote is held.” “The American people believe that you have to go defend your position, hold the floor, and if you’re not there, the Senate goes forth and holds a majority vote. And so that is the model we’re  trying to create,” the senator said during an appearance on The Big Picture With Thom Hartmann. Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is calling for ending the filibuster altogether. The sentiments of the reformers are in line with 50 percent of Americans, who said in a February 2010 CBS/New York Times poll that the filibuster should be changed (44 percent were opposed).