Any death is tragic and unacceptable but we need members of Congress to be the solution NOT a part of the problem and Republicans in their need to spew misinformation tend to go so far to the right they forget the People of the United States !  If the Benghazi hearings have to happen, the facts, comparisons and the knowledge of the ever present danger of being an Embassador must be told

Republicans seem to be on a train going back to a time that no one wants!

Separate and definitely NOT Equal

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, June 2, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #633, the nomination of Keith M. Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.  There will be 2 minutes of debate prior a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Harper nomination.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the order listed:

–        Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided); and

–        Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).

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Last Floor Action:5/22
2:43:15 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on May 23, 2014.

3:00:33 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
3:00:38 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
3:00:58 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, Ohev Sholom: The National Synagogue, Washington, DC.
3:02:39 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
3:02:43 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3:03:01 P.M.		<action_description>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 message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 23, 2014, at 11:09 a.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 316 with an amendment, S. 2198, H.R. 724, H.R. 862, H.R. 4032, H.R. 1726, and H.R. 4488. The Senate also agreed to S. Con. Res. 36.
3:03:14 P.M.		<action_description>The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 27, 2014.

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The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, May 22, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 1:45pm with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The final 10 minutes will be equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Paul with Senator Leahy controlling the final 5 minutes.

 At 1:45pm, there will be 2 roll call votes:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit and

–        Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.3080, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (60-vote threshold).

Senator Menendez asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate vote on ratification of Executive Calendar #9 treaty document 112-1, Protocol Amending Tax Convention with Swiss Confederation.

 

By consent, following the vote on H.R.3080, the WRDA conference report, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Executive Calendar #638, Richard G. Frank, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services. With this agreement, at 1:45pm, there could be as many as 3 roll call votes, however, we expect only 2roll call votes.

Senator Rubio asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.R.4031, Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014. Senator Sanders objected.

 

Senator Sanders asked unanimous consent to take up and pass S.1950, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. Senator Rubio objected.

At 1:49pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit;

Confirmed: 53-45

 

Next:

1. Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.3080, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (60-vote threshold)
2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #638, Richard G. Frank, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (voice vote expected)

2:15pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.3080, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (60-vote threshold);

Adopted: 91-7

This will be the last vote of the day.

There will be no further roll call votes this week. The motion to proceed to S.2363, A bill to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting, is the pending business.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to take up and confirm Executive Calendar #767  Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of four years. On behalf of Senator Paul, Senator Hatch objected.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Confirmed: 53-45

2)     Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.3080, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 91-7

 

 

Additional Legislative items

Passed H.R.724, To amend the Clean Air Act to remove the requirement for dealer certification of new light-duty motor vehicles.

 

Passed H.R.862, Coconino National Forest Land Conveyance.

 

Passed H.R.316, Collinsville Renewable Energy Production Act with a committee-reported substitute amendment.

 

Passed S.2198 , The Emergency Drought Relief Act with Feinstein-Murkowski substitute amendment and a Feinstein-Murkowski title amendment.

 

Discharge the Environment and Public Works committee and passed H.R.4032, North Texas Invasive Species Barrier Act of 2014.

 

Passed H.R.1726, To award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65^th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers.

 

H.R.4488, To make technical corrections to two bills enabling the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals, and for other purposes.

 

Adopted S.Res.455, designating May 2014 as “Older Americans Month”.

 

Adopted S.Res.456, A resolution recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system, and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.

Adopted S.Res.457, designating the week of May 18 through May 24, 2014, as “National Public Works Week”.

 

Adopted S.Res.458, Recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month and honoring Holocaust survivors and their contributions to the United States of America.

 

Adopted S.Res.459, expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and recognizing May 2014 as “National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month”.

 

Adopted S.Res.460, Recognizing the significance of May 2014 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States.

 

Adopted S.Res.461, honoring James L. Oberstar as a remarkable public servant who served in Congress with extraordinary dedication and purpose.

 

Adopted S.Con.Res.36, a concurrent resolution permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the next of kin or personal representative of Raoul Wallenberg.

 

 

Additional Executive items

Confirmed Executive Calendar #638, Richard G. Frank, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Service by voice vote.

 

Confirmed all nominations on the Secretary’s desk in Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy and the following, all by unanimous consent:

 

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #803 Col. William P. Robertson – to be Brigadier General

 

ARMY

Executive Calendar #804 Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #805 Maj. Gen. James C. McConville – to be Lieutenant General

 

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #806 Lt. Gen. Gregory A. Biscone – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #807 Col. Kathleen A. Cook – to be Brigadier General

Executive Calendar #808 Col. Jeffrey A. Rockwell – to be Major General

 

NAVY

Executive Calendar #809 To be Rear Admiral (Lower Half)

Captain Brian J. Brakke

Captain Richard A. Brown

Captain James S. Bynum

Captain Peter J. Clarke

Captain Scott D. Conn

Captain Brian K. Corey

Captain Richard A. Correll

Captain Marc H. Dalton

Captain Collin P. Green

Captain Dale E. Horan

Captain Mary M. Jackson

Captain James W. Kilby

Captain Roy I. Kitchener

Captain James J. Malloy

Captain Ross A. Myers

Captain Jeffrey S. Ruth

Captain Lorin C. Selby

Captain John W. Tammen, Jr.

Captain Kent D. Whalen

Captain Kenneth R. Whitesell

Captain Charles F. Williams

Captain Jesse A. Wilson, Jr.

Executive Calendar #810 Capt. Timothy C. Gallaudet – to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

Executive Calendar #811 Capt. Steven L. Parode – to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

Executive Calendar #812 Capt. Johnny R. Wolfe, Jr. – to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

 

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #813 Maj. Gen. Samuel A. Greaves – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #814  Brig. Gen. Warren D. Berry – to be Major General

Executive Calendar #815 Brig. Gen. Jon A. Norman – to be Major General

Executive Calendar #816 Col. Roosevelt Allen, Jr. – to be Major General

Executive Calendar #817 Col. Richard W. Kelly – to be Brigadier General

Executive Calendar #818 Maj. Gen. Carlton D. Everhart, II – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #819 Maj. Gen. Darryl L. Roberson – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #820 Lt. Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #821 Maj. Gen. Karen E. Dyson – to be Lieutenant General

 

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #822 Brig. Gen. Christopher F. Burne – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #823 Maj. Gen. Marshall B. Webb – to be Lieutenant General

 

ARMY

Executive Calendar #824 Lt. Gen. Raymond A. Thomas, III – to be Lieutenant General

 

NAVY

Executive Calendar #826 Rear Adm. Thomas S. Rowden – to be Vice Admiral

Executive Calendar #827 Rear Adm. (lh) John F. Kirby – to be Rear Admiral

 

MARINE CORPS

Executive Calendar #828 Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #829 Maj. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #830 Lt. Gen. Robert B. Neller – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #831 Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, Jr. – to be Lieutenant General

Executive Calendar #832 To be Brigadier General

Col. Patrick J. Hermesmann

Col. Helen G. Pratt

 

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #833 Lt. Gen. James M. Holmes – to be Lieutenant General

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Last Floor Action:5/21
9:17:34 A.M. -H.R. 3361
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3361.

9:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:08 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:23 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pompeo to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:01:36 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.
9:15:45 A.M.	H.R. 3361	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 590. H.R. 3361 — “To reform the authorities of the Federal Government to require the production of certain business records, conduct electronic surveillance, use pen registers and trap and trace devices, and use other forms of information gathering for foreign intelligence, counterterrorism, and criminal purposes, and for other purposes.”
9:15:50 A.M.	H.R. 3361	Rule provides further consideration of H.R. 4435. No amendment shall be in order except those printed in part A of the report. At the conclusion of consideration for amendment, the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such further amendments as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 3361. All points of order against consideration are waived. The bill, as amended by part B of the report
9:17:34 A.M.	H.R. 3361	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3361.

9:29:15 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 2086, H.R. 1036, H.R. 1228, H.R. 1451, H.R. 2391, and H.R. 3060.
10:29:19 A.M.	H.R. 3361	The House resumed debate on H.R. 3361.
10:31:58 A.M.	H.R. 3361	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:04:57 A.M.	H.R. 3361	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 303 – 121 (Roll no. 230).
11:04:58 A.M.	H.R. 3361	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:05:20 A.M.	H.R. 4435	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4435 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”
11:05:33 A.M.	H.R. 4435	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
11:05:54 A.M.	H.R. 4435	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
11:12:07 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the McKinley amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 – 192 (Roll no. 231).
11:18:06 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Shimkus amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 245 – 177 (Roll no. 232).
11:22:06 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 177 – 247 (Roll no. 233).
11:25:46 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 191 – 230 (Roll no. 234).
11:29:29 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Jenkins amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 244 (Roll no. 235).
11:33:32 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Lamborn amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 191 (Roll no. 236).
11:37:05 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Schiff amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 191 – 233 (Roll no. 237).
11:41:37 A.M.	H.R. 4435	On agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 224 – 199 (Roll no. 238).
11:41:44 A.M.	H.R. 4435	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4435.
11:42:36 A.M.	H.R. 4435	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:42:49 A.M.	H.R. 4435	The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
11:43:41 A.M.	H.R. 4435	Mr. Peters (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Armed Services.
11:43:57 A.M.	H.R. 4435	Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters (CA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section to the bill titled Provisions Relating to Wages, Discrimination, Outsourcing Jobs, Student Loans, and Baggage Fees.
11:52:09 A.M.	H.R. 4435	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
12:00:08 P.M.	H.R. 4435	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 194 – 227 (Roll no. 239).
12:17:43 P.M.	H.R. 4435	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 325 – 98 (Roll no. 240).
12:17:45 P.M.	H.R. 4435	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:17:47 P.M.	H.R. 4435	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
12:17:48 P.M.	H.R. 4435	The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4435.
12:22:14 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
12:42:00 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 3:00 p.m. on May 23. Agreed to without objection.
12:42:29 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Friday, May 23, 2014, it adjourn to meet at noon on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Agreed to without objection.
12:42:53 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, it adjourn to meet at noon on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
12:43:00 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:00:55 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
2:43:05 P.M.		Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:43:10 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:43:15 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on May 23, 2014.

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