Tag Archives: Majority Leader

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate considers S.3240,Farm bill & debates S.JRes.37,joint resolution of disapproval -EPA Mercury Air&Toxic Standards


the Seante Convenes: 10:00amET June 19, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following Leader remarks, the next two hours will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3240, the Farm bill. At 2:15pm, there will be several roll call votes in relation to amendments to the bill.
  • At a time to be determined on Tuesday, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards. There will be 2 hours of debate during Tuesday’s session. The Senate will continue debate on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution on Wednesday. The Senate will then vote on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution on Wednesday, June 20th at approximately 12:30pm.

2:24pm – The Senate began a roll call vote on Ayotte amendment #2192 (value added grants), Not Agreed To: 38-61

2:53pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Snowe amendment #2190, as modified; Agreed To: 66-33

3:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Grassley amendment #2167 (pay cap marketing loans); Agreed to: 75-24

3:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Brown (OH) amendment #2445 (rural development); Agreed to: 55-44

3:55pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Sessions amendment #2174 (SNAP); Not Agreed to: 43-56

4:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse crops); Agreed to: 58-41

4:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Sessions amendment #2171 (SNAP); Not Agreed to: 41-58

4:47pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Casey amendment #2238 (study re: federal milk marketing): Agreed To: 73-26

5:07pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Roll Call Vote on Paul amendment #2181 ($250,000 income limit); Not Agreed To: 15-84

5:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Alexander #2191 (wind loans); Not Agreed To: 33-66

5:56pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Feinstein amendment #2422 (insurance recall study); Agreed To: 76-23

6:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Toomey amendment #2217 (organic/AMA); Not Agreed to: 42-57

6:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Gillibrand amendment #2156, as modified (SNAP); Not Agreed to: 33-66

6:57pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #2263 (broadband funding); Not Agreed To: 45-54

7:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on DeMint amendment #2268 (loan guarantees); Not Agreed To: 14-84

7:45pm The senate began a roll call vote on DeMint amendment #2276 (checkoffs); Not Agreed To: 20-79

7:58 There will be no further roll call votes today. Senators should expect votes to begin as early as 11:15am tomorrow.

8:14 By unanimous consent, the Bennet-Crapo amendment #2202 (improve agricultural land easements) is in order to the Farm bill. We expect to agree to the amendment by voice vote tomorrow.

 

We expect to begin voting at 11:15am tomorrow. The first vote will be on the motion to proceed to Inhofe’s resolution of disapproval to be followed by votes in relation to the remaining amendments in order to the Farm bill and on passage of the bill.  If we have to vote on all the amendments, there would be up to 47 roll call votes in this series. I again noted the amendments we could consider by voice vote, but there are only 9 amendments on that list.  Senators should expect a long day of voting tomorrow.

The vote sequence is as follows:

– Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution disapproving a rule promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to emission standards for certain steam generating units

If the motion to proceed is not agreed to, the Senate will resume the Farm bill and proceed to vote in relation to the following items:

Manchin #2345 (dietary study) (possible voice vote);

DeMint #2273 (broadband);

Merkley #2382 (organic crop insurance);

Coburn #2289 (MAP);

Schumer #2427 (acer);

Coburn #2293 (Limit Millionaires);

–  Stabenow #2453 (NAP);

Kerry #2454 (North Korea);

Kyl #2354 (North Korea);

– Udall(CO) #2295 (bark beetle);

Lee #2313 (Forest Legacy);

Warner #2457 (rural broadband);

Lee #2314 (CSP/CRP cut);

Wyden #2442 (microloans);

Boozman #2355 (Ag research, law info) (possible voice vote);

Wyden #2388 (farm to school);

Boozman #2360 (TEFAP)

Leahy #2204 (rural development);

Toomey #2226 (energy title);

– Nelson(NE) #2242 (rural housing) (possible voice vote);

Toomey #2433 (sugar);        

Klobuchar #2299 (transportation study) (possible voice vote);

– Lee Motion to Recommit (FY 2008 levels);

Carper #2287 (poultry feed research) (possible voice vote);

– Johnson(WI) Motion to Recommit (Nutrition/Agriculture titles);

Sanders #2254 (biomass);

Chambliss #2438 (conservation crop insurance);

Thune #2437 (crop insurance);

– Durbin-Coburn #2439 (crop insurance);

Chambliss #2340 (sugar);

Chambliss #2432 (FMPP);

Ayotte #2195 (GAO crop insurance fraud report) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Blunt #2246 (veterans) (possible voice vote);

Moran #2403 (food aid);

                                    – Moran #2443 (beginning farmers) (possible voice vote);

Vitter #2363 (pets) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Toomey #2247 (paperwork) (60-vote threshold);

Sanders #2310 (genetically engineered food) (60-vote threshold);

Coburn #2214 (convention funding) (60-vote threshold);

Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

Johanns #2372 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Murray # 2455(sequestration) (60-vote threshold);

McCain #2162 (Sequestration report – DoD) (60-vote threshold);

Rubio #2166 (RAISE Act) (60-vote threshold);

– Bennet-Crapo amendment #2202 (improve agricultural land easements) (expect voice vote); and

– Passage of S.3240, as amended.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Ayotte amendment #2192 (value added grants) to S.3240, the Farm bill; Not Agreed To: 38-61

2)      Snowe amendment #2190 (milk marketing order reform); Agreed To: 66-33

3)      Grassley amendment #2167 (pay cap marketing loans); Agreed To: 75-24

4)      Brown (OH) amendment #2445 (rural development); Agreed To: 55-44

5)      Sessions amendment #2174 (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 43-56

6)      Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse pilot); Agreed To: 58-41

7)      Sessions amendment #2172 (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 41-58

8)      Casey amendment #2238 (technical/study-federal milk marketing); Agreed To: 73-26

9)      Paul amendment #2181 ($250,000 income limit); Not Agreed To: 15-84

10)  Alexander amendment  #2191 (wind loans); Not Agreed To: 33-66

11)  Feinstein amendment #2309 (insurance recall); Agreed To: 76-23

12)  Toomey amendment #2217 (organic/AMA); Not Agreed To: 42-57

13)  Gillibrand amendment #2156, as modified (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 33-66

14)  DeMint amendment #2263 (broadband funding); Not Agreed To: 45-54

15)  DeMint amendment #2268 (loan guarantees); Not Agreed To: 14-84

16)  DeMint amendment #2276 (checkoffs); Not Agreed To: 20-79

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.3314, to specifically authorize certain funds for an intelligence-related activity and for other purposes by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.496, observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.

Adopted S.Res.497, congratulating the Los Angeles Kings on winning the 2012 Stanley Cup.

Adopted S.Res.498, designating June 20, 2012, as “American Eagle Day”.

Adopted S.Res.499, 10th anniversary of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:                     6:48:02 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of June 19, 201210:00:12 A.M.
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:26 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:48 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.
11:02:33 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:17 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 19.
12:00:29 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:45 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:48 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Welch to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:07 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.
12:19:11 P.M. H. Res. 688 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 688 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2578) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act related to a segment of the Lower Merced River in California, and for other purposes.”
12:20:22 P.M. H. Res. 688 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 688.

CONGRESS : the Republican led House – the Senate debates S.3240,Farm bill & 3.5yrs later, Judicial nominees


the Senate Convenes: 3:00pmET June 18, 2012

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #612, the nomination of Mary Geiger Lewis, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina; Confirmed: 64-27

WRAP UP

The Senate has locked an agreement to limit amendments and bring the Farm bill to passage. Under the agreement, we will begin voting on amendments at 2:15pm tomorrow. There will be a break in consideration of the amendments to debate and vote in relation to S.J.Res.37, Boiler MACT/EPA, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. I will send the agreement on the joint resolution of disapproval in a separate email message once it is locked in. Please note that we will consider amendments in an alternating fashion between Democrats and Republicans.

The agreement is as follows:

Leader: I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of S.3240, the pending motion to recommit be withdrawn; that amendment #2390 be withdrawn; that the Stabenow-Roberts amendment #2389 be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be considered original text for the purposes of further amendment; that the following amendments and motions be the only first degree amendments and motions in order to the bill:

Akaka #2440 (highly fractionated tribal lands);

Akaka #2396 (tribal relations office);

Baucus #2429 (Livestock);

Bingaman #2364 (multi-state aquifers);

– Brown (OH) #2445 (rural development);

Cantwell #2370 (pulse pilot);

Casey #2238 (technical/study -federal milk marketing)

Coons #2426 (poultry insurance study);

Feinstein #2422 (conservation innovation grants);

Feinstein #2309 (insurance recall);

Gillibrand #2156 (SNAP);

Hagan #2366 (crop insurance – plain language);

Kerry #2187 (commercial fishermen);

Landrieu #2321 (rural development loans);

Manchin #2345 (dietary study);

Merkley #2382 (organic crop insurance);

Schumer #2427 (acer);
Stabenow #2453 (NAP);

– Udall(CO) #2295 (bark beetle);

Warner #2457 (rural broadband);

Wyden #2442 (microloans);

Wyden #2388 (farm to school);

Leahy #2204 (rural development);

– Nelson(NE) #2242 (rural housing);

Klobuchar #2299 (transportation study);

Carper #2287 (poultry feed research);

Sanders #2254 (biomass);

Thune #2437 (crop insurance);

– Durbin-Coburn #2439 (crop insurance);

Snowe #2190 (milk marketing order reform);

Ayotte #2192 (value added grants);

Collins #2444 (dairy);

Grassley #2167 (pay cap marketing loans);

Sessions #2174 (SNAP);

– Nelson(NE) #2243 (SNAP);

Sessions #2172 (SNAP);

Paul #2181 ($250,000 income limit);

Alexander #2191 (wind loans);

McCain #2199 (catfish);

Toomey #2217 (organic/AMA);

DeMint #2263 (broadband funding);

DeMint #2262 (SoS Free MKT);

DeMint #2268 (Loan guarantees);

DeMint #2276 (checkoffs);

DeMint #2273 (broadband);

Coburn #2289 (MAP);

Coburn #2293 (Limit Millionaires);

Kerry #2454 (North Korea);

Kyl #2354 (North Korea);

Lee #2313 (Forest Legacy);

Lee #2314 (CSP/CRP cut);

Boozman #2355 (Ag research, law info);

Boozman #2360 (TEFAP);

Toomey #2226 (energy title);

Toomey #2433 (sugar);

– Lee Motion to Recommit (FY 2008 levels);

– Johnson(WI) Motion to Recommit;

Chambliss #2438 (conservation crop insurance);

Chambliss #2340 (sugar);

Chambliss #2432 (FMPP);

Ayotte #2195 (GAO crop insurance fraud report);

Blunt #2246 (veterans);

Moran #2403 (food aid);

Moran #2443 (beginning farmers)

Vitter #2363 (pets);

Toomey #2247 (paperwork);

Sanders #2310 (genetically engineered food);

Coburn #2214 (convention funding);

Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections);

Johanns #2372 (aerial inspections);

– Murray # 2455(sequestration);

McCain #2162 (Sequestration report – DoD); and

Rubio #2166 (RAISE Act).

That at 2:15pm, Tuesday, June 19th, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed alternating between Republican and Democratic sponsored amendments; that there be no amendments or motions in order to the amendments prior to the votes other than motions to waive points of order and motions to table; that there be two minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form in between the votes and all after the first vote be ten minute votes; that the Toomey #2247; Sanders #2256; Coburn #2214; Boxer #2456; Johanns #2372; Murray #2455; McCain #2162 and the Rubio amendment #2166 be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that the clerks be authorized to modify the instruction lines on amendments so the page and line numbers match up correctly; that upon disposition of the amendments, the bill, as amended, be read a third time; that there be up to ten minutes equally divided in the usual form prior to a vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended; finally, the vote on passage of the bill be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold.

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #612, the nomination of Mary Geiger Lewis, of SC, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina; Confirmed: 64-27

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Agreed to a Snowe amendment to the preamble of S.Res.488, a resolution commending the efforts of the firefighters and emergency response personnel of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, who came together to extinguish the May 23, 2012, fire at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine., notwithstanding adoption of the resolution.

Discharged Judiciary and adopted S.Res.470, a resolution designating July 28, 2012, as “National Day of the American Cowboy”.

Adopted S.Res.495, designating the period beginning on June 17, 2012, and ending on June 23, 2012, as “Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Week”, and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease and the impact such disease has on patients.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of June 18, 2012

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – both Chambers back 6/18 – the Senate


the Senate Convenes at 3:00pmET June 18, 2012

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CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate considersS.3240,Farm bill -SNAP


the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 13, 2012

Senate Rejects Effort To Cut Food Stamp Program

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the next hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • At a time to be determined on Wednesday, Senators should expect 2 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments which are pending to S.3240, the Farm bill. Senators should expect the votes to be motions to table each of the amendments.

Senators should expect 2 roll call votes shortly (at approximately 12:00pm) on the following, in the following order:

12:02pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to table Reid amendment #2393, which is text of Shaheen amendment #2160 (Sugar); Tabled: 50-46

12:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to table Reid amendment #2392 (SNAP); Tabled: 65-33

The following amendments and motion are pending to S.3240, the Farm bill:

The following amendment have been considered to S.3240, the Farm bill:

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to consider the next 4 amendments to the Farm bill. Senator Coburn objected. The request can be found below. Senator Reid then offered the following amendments:

Reid amendment # 2406 which is the text of Coburn amendment #2353 (to eliminate certain working lands conservation programs); and

Reid amendment 2407 which is the text of DeMint amendment #2285 (convert all mandatory spending to discretionary spending)

Reid’s UC request that Senator Coburn objected to:

Leader: I ask unanimous consent that the pending motion to recommit be withdrawn; that amendment #2390 be withdrawn; that the Stabenow-Roberts amendment #2389 be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be considered original text for the purposes of further amendment; that the following four amendments be the first amendments in order to the bill with no other first degree amendments in order until these amendments are disposed of:

Coburn #2353;

Hagan #2366;

DeMint #2285; and

McCaskill #2222.

That there be up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, on each of the amendments; that upon the use or yielding back of time on all four amendments, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed; that there be no amendments or motions in order to the amendments prior to the votes other than motions to waive points of order and motions to table; that upon disposition of these amendments, the Majority Leader be recognized.

Senator Coburn objected.

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 The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2012.

Bills & Reports

CONGRESS: the Republican led House adjourned to witch hunt – the Senate considers S.3240 Farm bill, Judicial appts 3.5yrs later …


the Senate Convened 10:00amET June 12, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #607, Andrew Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit, post-cloture.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • By unanimous consent, all time during adjournment, recess and morning business will count post-cloture on the Hurwitz nomination.
  • We expect to yield back time and confirm the Hurwitz nomination during Tuesday’s session. We are also working on an agreement for amendments to S.3240, the Farm bill.

Prior to the caucus recess, Senator McCain asked unanimous consent to take up and adopt a resolution regarding the recent intelligence leaks. Senator Wyden objected to the request.

All post-cloture debate time was yielded back and by voice vote the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of Andrew Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit.

The Senate then adopted the motion to proceed to S.3240, the Farm Bill. We will be in a period of debate only until 4pm.

The period for debate only on the Farm bill has been extended until 5:30pm today. In the meantime, the managers of the bill are working on an agreement to consider several amendments to the bill.

Senator Reid asked the following unanimous consent to consider several amendments and a motion to the Farm bill and Senator Paul objected. (See Paul’s remarks on ending aid to Pakistan and Senator Reid’s remarks on the Farm bill below)

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to call up and agree to a Stabenow-Roberts perfecting amendment #2389 (Managers’ amendment) and that the bill, as amended, be considered original text for the purpose of further amendment. That the amendments and motion listed below be the first in order to the bill, with 60 minutes for debate equally divided on each amendment. That upon the use or yielding back of all time, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the amendments and motion.

– Paul amendment #2182 (SNAP);

– Shaheen amendment #2160 (Sugar);

– Coburn amendment #2353 (elimination of certain working land conservation programs ;

– Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse crop products) and

– Lee Motion to Recommit the bill, S.3240, to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry with instructions to report the same back to the Senate with a reduction in spending to 2008 levels so that overall spending shall not exceed $604,840,000,000.

Further, no amendments or motions are in order to the amendments or the Lee motion prior to the votes other than motions to waive points of order and motions to table. Upon disposition of the Lee motion, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

As noted earlier, Senator Paul objected to this request.

Senator Reid then called up Stabenow-Roberts amendment #2389 (Managers’ amendment) and a second degree amendment #2390 (date change).

He then moved to recommit the bill with instructions to report back forthwith amendment #2391 and offered amendments to the instructions in the first and second degree amendment slots. Those amendments are as follows:

– Reid amendment #2392, which is text of Paul amendment #2182 (SNAP) and

– Reid amendment #2393 which is text of Shaheen amendment #2160 (Sugar).

Finally, for procedural reasons he moved to proceed to S.1940, Flood Insurance extension. The Farm bill remains the pending business.

The following amendments and motion are pending to S.3240, the Farm bill:

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.491, commending the participants in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad and recognizing the importance of education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to the future of the United States.

Adopted S.Res.492, designating June 15, 2012, as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.436, an act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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 JUNE 12, 201210:00:16 A.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day…  Adjournm, After only 5minutes of Work
10:02:34 A.M.   The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:03:44 A.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alan Keiran, Office of the United States Senate Chaplain.
10:04:45 A.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:04:58 A.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:05:33 A.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2012.