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Congress: the Republican led House casts a Political Vote today while Americans suffer – the Senate on pro forma


Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23rd at 2:00pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #438, John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska with up to 90 minutes of debate, 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees and 30 minutes under the control of Senator Sessions or his designee.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gerrard nomination.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17th. By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

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Republicans will take a vote of disapproval on the President’s action on the debt ceiling … wasting Americans time money & don’t they know People are still in crisis

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 18, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION 

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.4:28:29 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.4:27:37 P.M. -Mr. Terry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, January 19, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2012, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.4:26:41 P.M. -Mr. Terry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Agreed to without objection.4:25:18 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:25:16 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 176, 2 Present (Roll no. 4).4:01:13 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98The previous question was ordered pursuant to the statute.2:10:30 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 515 and section 3101A(c)(4) of title 31, United States Code, the House proceeded with 2 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 98.2:09:42 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:09:37 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.2:08:48 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 96 — “Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.”2:05:58 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: 292 – 120, 1 Present (Roll no. 3).1:59:05 P.M. -H. Res. 515Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:58:16 P.M. -H. Res. 515On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.1:58:15 P.M. -H. Res. 515On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 176, 1 Present (Roll no. 2).12:36:57 P.M. -H. Res. 515DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 515.12:36:05 P.M. -H. Res. 515Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 515 — “Addressing a motion to proceed under section 3101A of title 31, United States Code.”12:03:12 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.12:02:50 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hahn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:21 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Tonko demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.12:01:15 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.12:00:55 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 18.11:30:33 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:51 A.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.10:00:41 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:25 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Congress: pro forma ? or just a cover for vacay … ask your Republican member of Congresss


Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23rd at 2:00pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #438, John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska with up to 90 minutes of debate, 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees and 30 minutes under the control of Senator Sessions or his designee.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gerrard nomination.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17th. By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 13, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION 

 -The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to pursuant to section 4(c) of H. Res. 493.

 The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on January 17, 2012.11:05:32 A.M

. -ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIR – Pursuant to section 4(a) of H. Res. 493, 112th Congress, the Chair announced that no organizational or legislative business will be conducted on this day.11:05:08 A.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 January 3, 2012 at 1:02 p.m. stating that that body insisted on its amendments to H.R. 3630 and agreed to a conference asked by the House.11:04:41 A.M. -The House received a communication from Patrick Hirsch, Director, House Recording Studio. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House, Mr. Hirsch notified the House that he had received a subpoena for testimony issued by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in connection with a misdemeanor case now pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that he would comply with the subpoena to the extent that it is consistent with Rule VIII.11:04:08 A.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 January 3, 2012 at 1:02 p.m. stating that pursuant to the order of December 23, 2011, that body had appointed conferees for H.R. 3630.11:03:24 A.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting certification that the debt subject to limit is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit in 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) and that further borrowing would be required to meet existing commitments. – referred to the Committee onWays and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-81). Doc. 112-81).11:03:05 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Moran to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:02:43 A.M. -JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 4(b) of H. Res. 493, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.11:01:45 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.11:01:25 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:00 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate – lawmakers wheel a deal –


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the Senate Convened at 10:00amET December 16, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 12:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the next 30 minutes.
  • We continue to work on an agreement to consider the omnibus spending bill and a payroll tax compromise.  As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.3630, the House Republican Payroll Tax bill.  Unless an agreement is reached, that vote will occur Saturday morning.

Morning business has been extended until 5:00pm.  This morning, Senator Reid announced Senators should expect roll call votes tomorrow, Saturday, December 17th.  The unofficial transcript of Senators Reid and McConnell’s remarks is below.

10:31:16 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, SENATOR McCONNELL AND I HAVE JUST

FINISHED A MEETING. WE’RE MAKING REALLY GOOD PROGRESS ON BEING

ABLE TO HANDLE THE ISSUES THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ARE OUTSTANDING.

WE’RE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE’RE VERY, VERY CLOSE. THERE WILL BE

VOTES TOMORROW. THERE COULD BE VOTES THIS AFTERNOON ALSO. I

WOULD ALSO SAY, BECAUSE THIS IS A QUESTION THAT PEOPLE WILL

ASK, THE HOUSE IS GOING TO PASS

THEIR BILL AROUND 3:00. THAT IS THE OMNIBUS.

AROUND 3:00. THE TIME IS NOT ALWAYS EXACT. THERE’S A RULING

FROM THIS WHITE HOUSE, ITS PREDECESSORS THAT IF ONE HOUSE

PASSES A SPENDING BILL AS WE ARE DOING HERE, AND THERE’S A

PRESUMPTION IT WILL PASS IN THE OTHER BODY, THE TIME IS

EXTENDED FOR 24 HOURS. SO EVERYONE DOESN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT

THE GOVERNMENT CLOSING TONIGHT.

{10:32:10 NSP} (MR. McCONNELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. McCONNELL: MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME ECHO THE REMARKS OF THE

MAJORITY LEADER. AS HE’S INDICATED, THE ADMINISTRATION TAKES

THE VIEW THAT IF THE FINAL APPROPRIATIONS BILLS PASS ONE HOUSE

THIS AFTERNOON, WE COULD HAVE THAT VOTE TODAY OR IT COULD BE

TOMORROW. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION, I’M TOLD BY THE MAJORITY

LEADER, TAKES THE VIEW THAT IF IT’S PASSED ONE HOUSE, THERE

WILL NOT BE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. SO I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD

BE REASSURED THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THE CONFERENCE REPORT

HAS BEEN SIGNED AND WE’RE MOVING TOWARD COMPLETING THE BASIC

WORK OF GOVERNMENT THROUGH NEXT SEPTEMBER 30 VERY SHORTLY. ON

THE SECOND ISSUE, THE MAJORITY LEADER AND I ARE MAKING

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND REACHING AN AGREEMENT ON A PACKAGE

THAT WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, I HOPE. I THINK WE’RE GOING

TO GET TO THAT PLACE. AND I SHARE HIS VIEW THAT GOOD PROGRESS

IS BEING MADE.

The Senate is now in recess subject to the call of the Chair.  When the Senate reconvenes, another message will be sent.

The Senate has reached an agreement with respect to the 2 month extension of payroll tax, UI, SGR, and other tax extenders, disaster aid funding, and the Omnibus Appropriations conference report,.

As a result of this agreement, senators should expect a series of up to 4 roll call votes at approximately 9:00am tomorrow in relation to the following items:

–          Reid substitute amendment to H.R.3630, 2 month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix, and unemployment insurance (60-vote threshold);

((up to 15 minutes for debate))

–          Passage of H.R.3672, emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold);

–          Adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold); and

–          Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations (60-vote threshold).

The agreement is as follows:

At 9am, Saturday, December 17th, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #257, H.R.3630. The Majority Leader be recognized to offer a Reid-McConnell substitute amendment agreed to by both Leaders – a two month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix and unemployment insurance.

Following the reporting of the amendment, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the substitute. No amendments are in order to the substitute or the bill prior to the vote. The amendment is subject to a 60 vote threshold. If the substitute amendment is agreed to, the bill, as amended, will be read a third time and passed; if the Reid-McConnell substitute amendment is not agreed to, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

Upon disposition of H.R.3630, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the conference report with respect to H.R.2055 (Omnibus appropriations). There will be 15 minutes of debate – 5 minutes each for Senators Inouye, Cochran and McCain.

Upon the use or yielding back of time, the conference report will be temporarily set aside and, notwithstanding the lack of receipt of the papers from the House with respect to H.R.3672, the Senate proceed to the consideration, en bloc, of the following items:  H.R.3672,  a bill regarding emergency disaster funding and H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding. There will be no amendments in order to the bill or the concurrent resolution prior to votes in relation to those measures. Following the reporting of the bill and the concurrent resolution, the Senate proceed to votes on the measures in the following order:

– Passage of H.R.3672;

– Adoption of H.Con.Res.94; and

– Adoption of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R.2055, the Omnibus Appropriations bill.

There will be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote. Each of the votes will be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. No motions or points of order be in order prior to the votes other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive. Further, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to H.R.3630 was vitiated. Finally, the House be immediately notified of the Senate’s action following the votes.

WRAP UP

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act.

Passed S.2009, the Insular Areas Act of 2011

Passed H.J.Res.94, 1 day CR

P

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 16, 2011

 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2011.4:30:23 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:30:02 P.M. -Ms. Norton moved that the House do now adjourn.2:35:01 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.2:34:49 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 2009.2:15:28 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.2:08:43 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.2:08:03 P.M. –Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, December 16, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:07:34 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:07:23 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95On passage Passed without objection.2:07:10 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Considered by unanimous consent. H.J. Res. 95 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.”2:06:25 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.2:06:20 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:06:18 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94On passage Passed without objection.2:06:09 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Considered by unanimous consent. H.J. Res. 94 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.”2:05:03 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.2:03:40 P.M. -H.R. 3672Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:03:39 P.M. -H.R. 3672On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 351 – 67 (Roll no. 943).1:56:24 P.M. -H.R. 3672Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3672 — “Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.”1:54:18 P.M. -HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Cantor for the purpose of informing Members of the legislative schedule.1:53:20 P.M. –H. Con. Res. 94Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:53:18 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 255 – 165 (Roll no. 942).1:46:18 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 94 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672.”1:45:59 P.M. -MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in remembrance of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our Nation in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.1:44:52 P.M. -H.R. 2055Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:44:52 P.M. -H.R. 2055On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 296 – 121 (Roll no. 941).1:19:06 P.M. -H.R. 2055The House proceeded to consider the conference report H. Rept. 112-331 as unfinished business.1:18:29 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2055, agreeing to H. Con. Res. 94, and passage of H.R. 3672 all of which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.1:18:28 P.M. -H.R. 3672POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause X of Rule 20, the yeas and nays were ordered. Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, further proceedings on H.R. 3672 were postponed.1:18:05 P.M. -H.R. 3672The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:09:13 P.M. -H.R. 3672DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3672.1:08:59 P.M. -H.R. 3672Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. H.R. 3672 — “Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.”1:08:33 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, futher proceedings on H. Con. Res. 94 were postponed.1:08:12 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:06:32 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94DEBATE – The House proceeded with twenty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 94.1:05:50 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. H. Con. Res. 94 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672.”1:05:24 P.M. -H.R. 2055POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause X of Rule 20, the yeas and nays were ordered. Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, further proceedings on H.R. 2055 were postponed.1:05:14 P.M. -H.R. 2055The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:55:52 A.M. -H.R. 2055DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report H. Rept. 112-331 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 500.11:55:34 A.M. -H.R. 2055Mr. Rogers (KY) brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-331 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 500.11:53:26 A.M. -S. 278Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:48:49 A.M. -S. 278On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 940).11:45:57 A.M. -S. 278Considered as unfinished business. S. 278 — “To provide for the exchange of certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.”11:45:54 A.M. -H.R. 1892Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:45:53 A.M. -H.R. 1892On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 23 (Roll no. 939).11:44:22 A.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.11:36:21 A.M. -H. Res. 500Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:36:20 A.M. -H. Res. 500On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 252 – 164 (Roll no. 938).11:29:02 A.M. -H. Res. 500On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 179 (Roll no. 937).10:34:49 A.M. -H. Res. 500DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 500.10:33:48 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3421, and S. 1612. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 93.9:58:00 A.M. -H. Res. 500DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 500.9:55:12 A.M. -H. Res. 500Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 500 — “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2055) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3672) making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 94) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672; and for other purposes.”9:54:44 A.M. -H.R. 2867Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.9:54:43 A.M. -H.R. 2867On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.9:43:57 A.M. -H.R. 2867DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2867.9:43:40 A.M. -H.R. 2867Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.9:42:46 A.M. -H.R. 1892At 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.9:18:48 A.M. -H.R. 1892DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1892.9:18:33 A.M. -H.R. 1892Mr. Rogers (MI) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.9:17:45 A.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.9:03:00 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.9:02:39 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:36 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:01:04 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:41 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert J. Dold to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.9:00:27 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Rep. Joe Wilson – a needed reminder


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Op-Ed Contributor

Joe Wilson’s War

 
By JOANNE B. FREEMAN
Published: September 18, 2009

New Haven

ON Tuesday, seven Republicans broke party ranks and voted to reprove Representative Joe Wilson, Republican of South Carolina, for calling President Obama a liar. One of the renegades was Bob Inglis, who upbraided his fellow South Carolinian for a breach of House rules. “That problem could have been fixed by an apology to the House,” Mr. Inglis explained.

And he was right. In fact, his comment reminds us that Congress has a long and storied culture of apology, to go along with its long and storied culture of insult — and that the two traditions are inextricably bound together.

Congressional insults — and apologies — had their heyday in the first half of the 19th century. Much as we envision the pre-Civil War era as the golden age of Congressional oratory delivered by the likes of Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster, alongside this eloquence was a generous helping of rough-and-tumble brawling.

Men pulled knives and guns on one another. There were shoving matches and canings — the most notorious being the 1856 attack by Representative Preston Brooks, Democrat of South Carolina, on Senator Charles Sumner, Republican of Massachusetts. Tables were flipped, inkwells and spittoons went flying. Occasionally there was a grand melee with dozens of congressmen pummeling one another, emerging after a few minutes of mayhem with torn clothing, assorted bumps and bruises, and toupees askew. Not surprisingly, accompanying all of this tumbling and punching was a slew of insults.

Most powerful of them all was “the lie direct.” According to the formal code of honor then in play, a man who didn’t keep his word was no man at all, so there could be only one response to such a charge: a duel (or very careful negotiations to avoid one). For that very reason, “throwing the lie” was a handy strategy in Congressional debate. The gasp-inducing drama of the moment was precisely the point. Nothing called an audience to attention as quickly as the threat of gunplay. Whether one was trying to attract attention from the press, derail a debate or humiliate an opponent, the lie direct was a grand slam in the game of politicking.

But untarnished victory required one final step: an immediate apology to the House or Senate — delivered on the floor. In part, this was the logic of the code of honor. The only way to offset a public insult was with a public apology; the audience that had witnessed the insult needed to witness the making of amends. And when a combatant voluntarily apologized as soon as a fight was reconciled, he prevented the opposition from milking his misbehavior for partisan gain.

In addition, a quick apology prevented an exchange of words from becoming something worse. In 1836, when a panicked speaker of the House began to adjourn the body after a tussle between two congressmen, several members instantly protested that this would prevent a public reconciliation. The result could have been ugly. As a House clerk put it, had “the speaker adjourned the House, as he was about to, there would have been a battle and blood would have been spilt upon the floor.”

These formal apologies nearly always followed the same script. After harsh language or fisticuffs, the combatants would rise to their feet and apologize in open session. The 1856 apology of Senator Andrew Butler, a South Carolina Democrat who was also the uncle of Preston Brooks, the assailant of Charles Sumner, is typical. In the flurry of outraged debate after the Sumner caning, Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts insulted Brooks. Butler immediately jumped to his feet and called Wilson a liar. Within minutes, Butler was on his feet again. “This mode of attacking my relative is very trying,” he said in apology. “I used a word which I hope will not be put down. I have never used an epithet on this floor, and therefore I ask that it may be excused. I make the request at the unanimous instance of my friends.”

As antebellum congressmen well knew, serious insults required serious apologies. So important were these rituals that they sometimes required hours or even days of negotiations for acceptable terms. In 1837, when Representative John Bell, an Anti-Jacksonian from Tennessee, called Leonard Jarvis, a Jacksonian from Maine, a liar during a debate, the outraged Jarvis first insisted that the matter would have to be settled “in another manner,” meaning in a duel. Jarvis also made clear that he wouldn’t retract the words that had prompted Bell to insult him in the first place. After several hours of wrangling by dozens of congressmen, Bell withdrew his words unconditionally.

No one assumed that such apologies were heartfelt. As The New York Times groused in 1859, these “Congressional rowdies” seemed to “have got it somehow into their heads that they can descend to any depth of blackguardism, if they only make an apology immediately afterwards.” Even so, these apologies meant something. By publicly apologizing to his colleagues, a congressman not only paid obeisance to the dignity and order of the House or Senate, but he also upheld the civility of Congressional proceedings as a whole.

This sentiment was perhaps explained best by Senator Louis McLane, a Jacksonian from Delaware, in an 1828 debate over the vice president’s right to call men to order. Written parliamentary rules were useful, he said, but the Senate’s tradition of “liberal comity” was “more efficient than any written rule.” What would preserve the Senate was “the great moral influence of the power of the body for its own preservation.” For this reason, the Congressional culture of insult was necessarily accompanied by one of apology. Whether it exists today remains an open question.

Joanne B. Freeman, a professor of history at Yale, is writing a book on Congressional violence in the first half of the 19th century.

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


the Senate Convened at 9:00amET November 18, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act.
  • Senators are encouraged to offer their amendments during Friday’s session.
  • There will be no roll call votes on Friday. The next roll call vote will be at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, November 28, 2011.

The following amendments are pending to S.1867, the DoD Authorization Act:

  • Levin amendment #1092 (counterfeit electronic parts)
  • Kirk amendment #1084 (Iran Sanctions)
  • Leahy amendment #1072 (National Guard)
  • Paul amendment #1064 (repeal of Military Force Against Iraq Authorization Resolution)
  • Merkley amendment #1174 (Afghanistan)
  • Feinstein amendment #1125 (limiting military custody of detainees to those captured abroad)
  • Feinstein amendment #1126 (prohibiting military authority to indefinitely detain US citizens)
  • Udall (CO) amendment #1107 (review of military custody of detainees)
  • Landrieu amendment #1115 (SBIR)
  • Franken amendment #1197 (small business contractors)
  • Cardin amendment #1073 (DC National Guard Youth Challenge Expansion)
  • Begich amendment #1114 (National Guard and Survivors)
  • Begich amendment #1149 (Land conveyance, AK)
  • Shaheen amendment #1120 (access to reproductive healthcare for servicewomen)
  • Collins amendment #1105 (certification requirements for transfer detainees)
  • Collins amendment #1155 (education assistance for physical therapy programs)
  • Collins amendment #1158 (Gitmo)
  • Collins amendment #1180 (man-portable air-defense systems originating from Libya)
  • Inhofe amendment #1094 (Dept of Commerce in contract authority)
  • Inhofe amendment #1095 (mental health counseling)
  • Inhofe amendment #1096 (treatment options for TBI and PTSD)
  • Inhofe amendment #1097 (psychological programs and TBI)
  • Inhofe amendment #1098 (foreign boycotts)
  • Inhofe amendment #1099 (hearing injuries/loss)
  • Inhofe amendment #1100 (products/services produced in Latvia)
  • Inhofe amendment #1101 (C-12 aircraft)
  • Inhofe amendment #1102 (unmanned aerial systems performing airborne inspections)
  • Inhofe amendment #1093 (long term requirements for detainment of high-volume enemy combatants)
  • Casey amendment #1215
  • Casey amendment #1139 (subcontractor notification)
  • Cornyn amendment #1200 (Multirole fighter aircraft to Taiwan)
  • Ayotte amendment #1066 (Audit Readiness Plan)
  • Ayotte amendment #1067, as modified (Congress notification of custody/disposition of Al Qaeda members and affiliate)
  • Ayotte amendment #1068 (Authorize lawful interrogation methods)
  • Brown (MA) amendment #1119 (To protect child custody rights of deployed service members)
  • Brown (MA) amendment #1090 (Housing allowance, Nat’l Guard)
  • Brown (MA) amendment #1089 (Disclosure from institutions providing tuition assistance programs from DOD)
  • Wicker amendment #1056 (Military Chaplains, marriage choice)
  • Wicker amendment #1116 (Career assistance re: commercial motor vehicles)
  • Udall (NM) amendment #1153 (Aviation smuggling provisions re: ultralight vehicles)
  • Udall (MN) amendment #1154 (Open burn pits)
  • Udall (NM) amendment #1202 (Buy America Act re: photovoltaic devices)
  • Corker amendment #1171 (prohibits funding of security forces in Pakistan)
  • Corker amendment #1172 (Coalition Support Fund re: Pakistan)
  • Corker amendment #1173 (SoS NATO)
  • Bingaman amendment #1117 (White Sands Missile Range & Fort Bliss)
  • Gillibrand amendment #1187 (defense IT/cyber workforce)
  • Gillibrand amendment #1211 (National Guard counseling and reintegration services)
  • Merkley amendment #1239 (Fry Spouse Scholarship)
  • Merkley amendment #1256 (Afghanistan)
  • Merkley amendment #1257 (Afghanistan)
  • Merkely amendment #1258 (HUBZone)
  • Leahy amendment #1087 (FOIA)
  • Leahy amendment #1186 (contracting)
  • Wyden amendment #1160 (Umatilla Army Chemical Depot)
  • Wyden amendment #1253 (reserve member reintegration)
  • Graham amendment #1179
  • McCain amendment #1230, as modified
  • Heller amendment #1137 (make Jerusalem the capital of Israel)
  • Heller amendment #1138 (repatriation of US military remains from Libya)
  • McCain amendment #1247 (defense funds for Guam)
  • McCain amendment #1246 (US military force structure in Pacific)
  • McCain amendment #1229 (cyber security agreement btw DoD and Dept of Homeland Security)
  • McCain amendment #1249 (cost-Plus Contracting)
  • McCain amendment #1220 (AK Native Corporation contracting)
  • McCain amendment #1132 (statement of budgetary resource auditability)
  • McCain amendment #1248 (ship repairs in the Northern Marianas)
  • McCain amendment #1250 (report on Probation of the F-35B program)
  • McCain amendment #1118 (surcharges collected by commissary stores)
  • Sessions amendment #1182 (Army Brigade Combat teams)
  • Sessions amendment #1183 (Nuclear Triad)
  • Sessions amendment #1184 (Naval Surface Vessels)
  • Sessions amendment #1185 (Missile Defense)
  • Sessions amendment #1274 (detention of enemy combatants)
  • Reed amendment #1146 (military technicians re: personnel category)
  • Reed amendment #1147 (military technicians re: bonuses)
  • Reed amendment #1148 (military technicians re: rights)
  • Reed amendment #1204 (pilot program on mental health)
  • Levin amendment #1293 (high speed ferries – Navy)
  • Boxer amendment #1206 (defense contractors’ salaries)
  • Menendez amendment #1292 (bank of Iran)
  • Reed amendment #1294 (consumer credit protections for members of the Armed Forces)
  • Chambliss amendment #1304 (Air Force Material Command)
  • Brown (OH) amendment #1259 (domestic manufactures to defense supply chain opportunities)
  • Brown (OH) amendment #1260 (Buy American re: specialty metal)
  • Brown (OH) amendment #1261 (small business HUBZones)
  • Brown (OH) amendment #1262 (DoD procurement, specialty metals)
  • Brown (OH) amendment #1263 (John Kunkel Army Reserve Center, OH)
  • Leahy amendment #1080 (applicability of requirements of military custody of detainees)
  • Wyden amendment #1296 (report re: indemnification of DoD contracts)
  • Pryor amendment #1151 (gratuity for Reserves)
  • Pryor amendment #1152 (authorize Reserves as veterans)
  • Nelson (FL) amendment #1209 (Survivor Benefit Plan)
  • Nelson (FL) amendment #1210 (DDG-51 class destroyers, FL)
  • Nelson (FL) amendment #1236 (flag officer positions – Air Force)
  • Nelson (FL) amendment #1255 (burn pit exposure at Joint Base Balad)
  • McCain amendment #1281 (transfer arms to Georgia)
  • Blunt amendment #1133 (employment rights for National Guard)
  • Blunt amendment #1134 (naming Navy vessels)
  • Murkowski amendment #1286 (DoD IG report – TRICARE)
  • Murkowski amendment #1287 (limit retirement of C-23)
  • Rubio amendment #1290 (strike national security waiver authority for military custody)
  • Rubio amendment #1291 (strike national security waiver authority -Gitmo)
The following amendments have been considered:
  • Ayotte amendment #1065 (force structure for strategic airlift aircraft) agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Cardin amendment #1188 (expand Operation Hero Miles); agreed to by voice vote
  • McCain amendment #1071 (evolved expendable launch vehicle program); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Roberts amendment #1086 (Captain Emil Kapaun Medal of Honor); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • McCain amendment #1106 (report on status of implementation of Final Report of 2010 Army Acquisition Review panel); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Casey amendment #1140 (Comptroller General on DoD military spouse employment program); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Levin amendment #1219 (authority for military reserves to active duty to provide assistance in a disaster or emergency); agreed to by unanimous consent
 

 

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, but not prior to December 5, 2011, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

  • #363 Edgardo Ramos – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York
  • #364 Andrew L. Carter, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York
  • #365 James Rodney Gilstrap – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas
  • #406 Dana L. Christensen – to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana

There will be a total of one hour for debate equally divided between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order listed.

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Judiciary Committee and Passed S.1541, a bill to revise the Federal charter for the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. to reflect a change in eligibility requirements for membership.

Adopted S.Res.335, honoring the life and legacy of Evelyn H. Lauder.

Adopted S.Res.336, to permit the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

#436 Winslow Lorenzo Sargeant – to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration

THE JUDICIARY

#445 Catharine Friend Easterly – to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years

#446 Corinne Ann Beckwith – to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

#447 Ernest Mitchell, Jr. – to be Administrator of the United States Fire Administrator of the United States Fire Administration

FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD

#448 Ronald David McCray – to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring September 25, 2012

#449 Ronald David McCray — to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring September 25, 2016

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

#451 Claude M. Steele – to be a Member of the National Science Board, National Science Foundation, for a term expiring May 10, 2014

#452 Anneila I. Sargent – to be a Member of the National Science Board, National Science Foundation, for a term expiring May 10, 2016

FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD

#453 Dana Katherine Bilyeu – to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

NATIONAL CONSUMER COOPERATIVE BANK

#454 Cyrus Amir-Mokri – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

#455 Michael A. Khouri – to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for a term expiring June 30, 2016

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

#457 Robert L. Sumwalt III – to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2016

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

#466 David A. Montoya – to be Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development

THE JUDICIARY

#467 John Francis McCabe – to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

#468 Peter Arno Krauthamer – to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

#469 Danya Ariel Dayson – to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

#470 Nancy Maria Ware – to be Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#471 Michael A. Hughes – to be United States Marshal for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD

#498 David Avren Jones – to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

———————————————————————————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 18, 2011

 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION 

 House Republicans Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States failed  261 – 165

http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2011&rollnumber=859&TB_iframe=true&height=400&width=650  HRes470  <<< was your member of Congress on the right side of this vote?

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.2:07:00 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.2:06:30 P.M. -H.R. 3321Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:06:21 P.M. -H.R. 3321On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.2:06:00 P.M. -H.R. 3321Mr. LoBiondo asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.2:05:20 P.M. -Mr. LoBiondo asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, November 25, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m on Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:05:10 P.M. -Mr. LoBiondo asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 1:00 p.m on Friday, November 25, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:05:00 P.M. -Mr. LoBiondo asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, November 18, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:03:58 P.M. -H. Res. 470Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:03:52 P.M. -H. Res. 470On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 167 (Roll no. 859).1:57:26 P.M. -H. Res. 470Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 470 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3094) to amend the National Labor Relations Act with respect to representation hearings and the timing of elections of labor organizations under that Act.”1:57:25 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H. Res. 470, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.1:57:23 P.M. -H.J. Res. 2On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 261 – 165 (Roll no. 858).10:08:20 A.M. -H.J. Res. 2DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.J. Res. 2. When proceedings were postponed on Thursday, November 17, 2011, 2 hours and 42 minutes of debate remained.10:08:03 A.M. -H.J. Res. 2Considered as unfinished business. H.J. Res. 2 — “Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”10:07:07 A.M. -S. 1637Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:07:05 A.M. -S. 1637On passage Passed without objection.10:06:09 A.M. -S. 1637Considered by unanimous consent. S. 1637 — “To clarify appeal time limits in civil actions to which United States officers or employees are parties.”10:06:09 A.M. -S. 1637Mr. Smith (TX) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.10:06:01 A.M. -H.R. 394Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:06:00 A.M. -H.R. 394On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.10:05:16 A.M. -H.R. 394Mr. Smith (TX) asked unanimous consent that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendments.10:04:30 A.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 November 18, 2011 at 8:52 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 2056, with amendments, H.R. 1059, with an amendment, H.R. 3321 with an amendment, and S. 99.10:03:03 A.M. -H. Res. 470POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 470, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the resolution until a time to be announced.10:02:51 A.M. -H. Res. 470The previous question was ordered without objection.9:17:43 A.M. -H. Res. 470DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 470.9:14:33 A.M. -H. Res. 470Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 470 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3094) to amend the National Labor Relations Act with respect to representation hearings and the timing of elections of labor organizations under that Act.”9:03:44 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.9:02:19 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:13 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:00:31 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:14 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.