The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET May 26, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in House message to accompany S.990, the legislative vehicle for the PATRIOT Act extension with the time until 10:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

The filing deadline for 2nd degree amendments to the House message to accompany S.990 with an amendment is at 9:40am on Thursday.

The cloture vote on motion to concur with respect to the PATRIOT Act will be at 10:00am on Thursday.

at 3:35pm, the Senate began 60 minutes of debate on the Paul amendment #363 and the Paul amendment #365, en bloc. By unanimous consent, it is in order for Senator Paul to offer the following two amendments, en bloc, and no other amendments be in order:

– #363 (firearm records); and

– #365 (suspicious activity reports)

Neither Paul amendment will be divisible; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Majority Leader, or his designee, will be recognized for a motion to table; if there are not at least 60 votes in opposition to a motion to table the above amendments, the amendment will be withdrawn;

Further, upon disposition of the two Paul amendments, amendment #348 will be withdrawn; that all remaining time post-cloture be yielded back and the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.990 with amendment #347; that no points of order or motions will be in order other than those listed in this agreement and budget points of order and applicable motions to waive.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 8:00pm.

There will be no further will call votes tonight.

Votes:

81: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.990, the legislative vehicle for the PATRIOT Act extension, with an amendment;

Invoked: 79-18.

82: Reid motion to table Paul amendment #363: (firearm records) (41 votes required to table)

Tabled: 85-10

83: Reid motion to table Paul amendment #365: (suspicious activity reports) (41 votes required to table);

Tabled: 91-4

84: Adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.990 with the Reid amendment #347: (PATRIOT Act extension) (majority threshold);

Agreed To: 72-23

Unanimous Consent:

-Passed S.1082, Small Business extension

-Passed H.R.754, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (voice vote).

-Passed S.627, Faster FIOA Act w/ committee-reported amendments.

-Discharged and adopted S.Con.Res.4, A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that an appropriate site on Chaplains Hill in Arlington National Cemetery should be provided for a memorial marker to honor the memory of the Jewish chaplains who died while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States with a Murray amendment.

-Discharged HELP and adopted S.Res.172, A resolution recognizing the importance of cancer research and the contributions made by scientists and clinicians across the United States who are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer, and designating May 2011, as “National Cancer Research Month”.

-S.Res.203, 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.

-S.Res.204, designating June 7, 2011, as “National Hunger Awareness Day”.

Confirmed the following executive calendar items:

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#49 Jo Ann Rooney – Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personal and Readiness

AIR FORCE

#97 Major General David L. Goldfein – to be Lieutenant General

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

#106 Allison A. Hickey – to be Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs

#107 Steve L. Muro – to be Under Secretary for Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#111 Denise Ellen O’Donnell – to be Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#121 Daniel L. Glaser – to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES

#122 Wanda Felton – to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States

#123 Sean Robert Mulvaney – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#124 George Albert Krol – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

#125 Daniel Benjamin Shapiro – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Israel.

#126 Henry S. Ensher – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

#127 Stuart E. Jones – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

#131 Sim Farar – to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy

#132 William J. Hybl – to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

#133 Cora B. Marrett – to be Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

#134 Martha Wagner Weinberg – to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities

#135 Paula Barker Duffy – to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities

#136 Cathy N. Davidson – to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities

#137 Constance M. Carroll — to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities

#138 Albert J. Beveridge III — to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

#139 Clyde E. Terry – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability

#140 Janice Lehrer-Stein – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE

#141 Judith A. Ansley – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace (term expiring 9/19/2011)

#142 Judith A. Ansley – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace (for a term of four years; reappointment)

#143 John A. Lancaster – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace (term expiring 9/19/2011)

#144 John A. Lancaster – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace (for a term of four years; reappointment)

NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION BOARD

#146 Michael E. Guest – to be a Member of the National Security Education Board

#147 Ana Margarita Guzman – to be a Member for the National Security Education Board

#148 Christopher B. Howard – to be a Member of the National Security Education Board

AIR FORCE

#149 Maj. Gen. Brooks L. Bash – to be Lieutenant General

#150 Col. David E. Deputy – to be Brigadier General

#151 Brig. Gen. James D. Demeritt & Brig. Gen. Joseph K. Martin, Jr. – to be Major General

#152 Brig. Gen. Mark A. Atkinson;

Brig. Gen. William J. Bender;

Brig. Gen. Brian T. Bishop;

Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan;

Brig. Gen. Michael J. Carey;

Brig. Gen. John B. Cooper;

Brig. Gen. Samuel D. Cox;

Brig. Gen. Barbara J. Faulkenberry;

Brig. Gen. Russell J. Handy;

Brig. Gen. Michael A. Keltz;

Brig. Gen. Steven L. Kwast;

Brig. Gen. Frederick H. Martin;

Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Masiello;

Brig. Gen. Earl D. Matthews;

Brig. Gen. Robert P. Otto;

Brig. Gen. John W. Raymond;

Brig. Gen. Darryl L. Robertson;

Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Rock;

Brig. Gen. Jay G. Santee;

Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz, Jr.;

Brig. Gen. John F. Thompson;

Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Trask;

Brig. Gen. Joseph S. Ward, Jr.;

Brig. Gen. Jack Weinstein;

Brig. Gen. Robert E. Wheeler;

Brig. Gen. Martin Whelan;

Brig. Gen. Stephen W. Wilson;

Brig. Gen. Tod D. Wolters;

Brig. Gen. Timothy M. Zadalis – to be Major General

NAVY

#153 Rear Adm. David H. Buss – to be Vice Admiral

AIR FORCE

#154 Col. David J. Buck – to be Brigadier General

#155 Lt. Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage III – to be General

#156 Maj. Gen. Mark F. Ramsay – to be Lieutenant General

ARMY

#157 Col. Mark W. Palzer – to be Brigadier General

#158 Brig. Gen. Gerald E. Lang – to be Major General

#159 Col. Charles R. Bailey – to be Brigadier General

#160 Brig. Gen. Omer C. Tooley, Jr. – to be Major General

Col. Brian R. Carpenter – to be Brigadier General

MARINE CORPS

#161 Col. Charles G. Chiarotti;

Col. David W. Coffman;

Col. Thomas A. Gorry;

Col. Paul J. Kennedy;

Col. Joaquin F. Malavet;

Col. Niel E. Nelson;

Col. Loretta E. Reynolds;

Col. Russell A. Sanborn;

Col. George W. Smith, Jr.;

Col. Craig Q. Timberlake;

Col. Mark R. Wise;

Col. Daniel D. Yoo – to be Brigadier General

#162 Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills – to be Lieutenant General

#163 Lt. Gen. George J. Flynn – to be Lietuenant General

#164 Lt. Gen. John R. Allen – to be Lietuenant General

#165 Maj. Gen. Steven A. Hummer – to be Lieutenant General

NAVY

#166 Rear Adm. Kendall L. Card – to be Vice Admiral

#167 Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, Jr. – to be Vice Admiral

#168 Vice Adm. Mark D. Harnitchek – to be Vice Admiral

And nominations placed on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, Navy, and Public Health Service with the exception of:

Kenia P. Altamirano

Rebecca M. Kibel

Timothy N. Onserio

Justin R. Plott

Brandy Torres (these exceptions are due to clerical errors)

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 26, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

9:04 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 27, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.

8:05 P.M. –

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

7:58 P.M. –

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

7:56 P.M. –

United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 1928a, Clause 10 of Rule I, and order of the House ofJanuary 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Mr. Larson of CT .

S. 990:

to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 250 – 153 (Roll No. 376).

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

7:32 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

6:55 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 281, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Senate amendment to the House amendment to S. 990.

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

H. Res. 281:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the bill ( S. 990) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes

6:54 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

6:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 281.

Considered as privileged matter.

6:47 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 281.

6:46 P.M. –

Mr. Aderholt filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R. 2017.

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 26, 2011 at 6:25 p.m. stating that that body had concurred in the House amendment with an amendment to S. 990.

6:45 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 message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 26, 2011 at 2:50 p.m. stating that that body had passed S. 1082 and agreed to S. Con. Res. 13. The message further stated appointments to the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 26.

2:41 P.M. –

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

H.R. 1540:

to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes

2:39 P.M. –

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. 1540.

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

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 322 – 96 (Roll no. 375).

2:32 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 233 (Roll no. 374).

2:13 P.M. –

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

2:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schrader motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to increase the maximum amount of special pay for Combat Troops subject to hostile fire or imminent danger to $325 per month. The increase in pay will take effect on October 1, 2011 and apply to months beginning on or after that date.

Mr. Schrader moved to recommit with instructions to Armed Services.

2:05 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

2:04 P.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1540.

On agreeing to the McGovern amendment Failed by recorded vote: 204 – 215 (Roll no. 373).

2:01 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Cravaack amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 194 (Roll no. 372).

1:57 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Turner amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 300 – 120 (Roll no. 371).

1:53 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 419 – 0 (Roll no. 370).

1:50 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Sanchez, Loretta amendment Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 234 (Roll no. 369).

1:46 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Ellison amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 241 (Roll no. 368).

1:43 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 269 – 151 (Roll no. 367).

1:38 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Conyers amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 416 – 5 (Roll no. 366).

1:35 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by recorded vote: 96 – 323, 1 Present (Roll no. 365).

1:31 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment Failed by recorded vote: 123 – 294 (Roll no. 364).

1:27 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Campbell amendment Failed by recorded vote: 98 – 321 (Roll no. 363).

1:23 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Campbell amendment Failed by recorded vote: 63 – 354 (Roll no. 362).

1:20 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Amash amendment Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 234 (Roll no. 361).

1:15 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Langevin amendment Failed by recorded vote: 172 – 246 (Roll no. 360).

1:12 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Mack amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 193 (Roll no. 359).

1:08 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Maloney amendment Failed by recorded vote: 91 – 329 (Roll no. 358).

1:03 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Buchanan amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 246 – 173 (Roll no. 357).

12:59 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 165 – 253 (Roll no. 356).

12:56 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 246 – 172 (Roll no. 355).

12:50 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Mica amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 260 – 160 (Roll no. 354).

12:24 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing the amendments to H.R 1540 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 1540:

to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes

On agreeing to the McKeon amendments as modified Agreed to by voice vote.

12:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc #6 amendments.

12:15 P.M. –

McKeon amendment modified by unanimous consent.

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon.

An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-88 offered as en bloc # 6: Nos. 18, as modified, 20, 84, 22, 23, 57, 72, 96, 15, 151 and 149.

On agreeing to the McKeon amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

12:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc #5 amendments.

12:05 P.M. –

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon.

An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-88 offered as en bloc # 5: Nos. 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 142, 46, 143, 144, 145, 146, and 147.

On agreeing to the McKeon amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

11:48 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc #4 amendments.

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon.

An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-88 offered as en bloc # 4: Nos. 106, 107, 108, 109, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126.

11:47 A.M. –

On agreeing to the McKeon amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

11:35 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc #3 amendments.

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon.

An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 112-88 offered as en bloc # 3: Nos. 70, 74, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105.

11:34 A.M. –

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

11:03 A.M. –

DEBATE – By unanimous consent, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McGovern amendment no. 55, equally divided and controlled.

11:02 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. McGovern.

An amendment numbered 55 printed in House Report 112-88 to require: (1) A plan and timeframe on accelerated transition of military operations to Afghan authorities; (2) A plan and timeframe on negotiations leading to a political solution and reconciliation in Afghanistan; and (3) A new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on al-Qaeda. The amendment clarifies that nothing in this section limits the president under existing authority to go after al-Qaeda, share intelligence, or modify military strategy and tactics while redeploying US forces under the plan/timeframe required above.

11:01 A.M. –

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

10:49 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cravaak amendment no. 152.

Amendment offered by Mr. Cravaack.

An amendment numbered 152 printed in House Report 112-88 to repeal Title VXII of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985, which authorized the establishment of the United States Institute of Peace.

10:48 A.M. –

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

10:39 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Turner amendment no. 148.

Amendment offered by Mr. Turner.

An amendment numbered 148 printed in House Report 112-88 to require a report on the cost-benefit analysis of migrating the management headquarters for the Air Force’s Enterprise Logistics System Program Executive Office.

10:38 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Thompson (PA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:33 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (PA) amendment no. 141.

Amendment offered by Mr. Thompson (PA).

An amendment numbered 141 printed in House Report 112-88 to expand the Department of Defense state licensure exception to qualified and credentialed DOD health-care professionals, including contractors and civilians, and removes the location requirement to better allow our Guard and Reserve access to immediate and efficient care.

10:32 A.M. –

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

10:31 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Runyan amendment no. 134.

10:29 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. RUNYAN.

An amendment numbered 134 printed in House Report 112-88 to require that the Secretary of Defense establish goals for competition in contracts for the procurement of property or services to be used outside the United States in support of a contingency operation and requires that processes be developed to measure and monitor such competition, including task order categories for services, construction, and supplies.

10:28 A.M. –

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

10:22 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment no. 111.

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 111 printed in House Report 112-88 to designate a National Day of Honor for members of the Armed Forces who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat areas.

10:21 A.M. –

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

10:18 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 276, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Inslee amendment no. 110.

Amendment offered by Mr. Inslee.

An amendment numbered 110 printed in House Report 112-88 to give the Department of Defense the authority to provide severely wounded or seriously ill service members, who remain on active duty, with a broad range of rehabilitative equipment including recreational sports equipment that must be specially customized to meet the needs of the service member.

10:16 A.M. –

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

10:15 A.M. –

ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. McKeon asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1540 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to H.Res. 276, amendment no. 55 be considered out of sequence. Agreed to without objection.

Considered as unfinished business.

10:02 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 Ms. Jenkins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:01 A.M. –

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

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.