The Senate re-Convenes at 2pmET 2/28/2011

Following the prayer and pledge, Senator Isakson will deliver Washington’s Farewell Address.

Following the address, there will be a period of morning business until 3:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 3:30pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.23, the Patent Reform Act of 2011.

The following amendments are pending to S.23:

– Leahy amendment #114 (Title amendment)

– Vitter amendment #112 (Debt Limit)

– Bennet amendment #116 (small business fast track)

– Bennet amendment #117 (regional PTO offices)

– Lee amendment #115 (to express the sense of the Senate in support of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution)

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

– Amy Totenberg, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia; and

– Steve C. Jones, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia.

The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled in the usual form. At 5:30pm, senators should expect a voice vote on the Tottenberg nomination and a roll call vote on the Jones nomination.

The Senate is in a period of morning business.

This evening, Senator Reid moved to proceed to a house vehicle for a short term continuing resolution (HR359) and filed cloture on the motion. If necessary, this cloture vote would occur on Wednesday morning.

Votes:

26: Confirmation of Steve C. Jones, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia; Confirmed: 90-0

Unanimous Consent:

Confirmed Amy Totenberg, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, by

Adopted S.Res.78, relative to the death of former U.S. Senator James McClure.

Adopted S.Res.8, Women in the US Armed Forces

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 28, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION



8:11 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 1, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mrs. Christensen moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:23 P.M. –

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

7:11 P.M. –

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

7:10 P.M. –

Mr. Price (GA) asked unanimous consent That it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting The Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 368:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify and improve certain provisions relating to the removal of litigation against Federal officers or agencies to Federal courts, and for other purposes

7:09 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 4 (Roll no. 150).

7:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 347:

to correct and simplify the drafting of section 1752 (relating to restricted buildings or grounds) of title 18, United States Code

7:02 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 – 3 (Roll no. 149).

6:55 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 394:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 0 (Roll no. 148).

6:33 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:32 P.M. –

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

6:31 P.M. –

Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 115.

ADJUSTED WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announces to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Harman, the whole number of the House is 433.

The House received a communication from Representative Harman wherein she resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective at 6:30 p.m. on February 28, 2011.

6:30 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 28.

2:45 P.M. –

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

H.R. 347:

to correct and simplify the drafting of section 1752 (relating to restricted buildings or grounds) of title 18, United States Code

2:44 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 347.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 368:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify and improve certain provisions relating to the removal of litigation against Federal officers or agencies to Federal courts, and for other purposes

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:28 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 368.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 386:

to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes

2:27 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 386.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 394:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes

2:18 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:14 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 394.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

2:13 P.M. –

The House received a communication from Daniel J. Strodel, Chief Administrative Officer. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Strodel notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena for documents issued by a grand jury in the County of New York and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.

2:03 P.M. –

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

2:02 P.M. –

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

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

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Gene Hemrick, Washington Theological Union, Washington, DC.

2:00 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert E. Latta to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.