Tag Archives: Merkley

At approximately 9am, there will be a series of 4 roll call votes 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).

9:21am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid-McConnell substitute amendment #1465 (2-month extension of the payroll tax reduction) to H.R.3630, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act; Agreed to: 89-10

10:02am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3672, Emergency Disaster Funding; Passed: 72-27

10:21am The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding; Not Adopted: 43-56

**** The Congressional Budgetary Office announced this morning that the payroll tax cut extension package that passed in the Senate, by a vote of 89-10, reduces the deficit by approximately $3 billion. Read the CBO report here. ****

10:44am The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations; Adopted: 67-32

There will be no further roll call votes this year. The next roll call vote will be on Monday, January 23, 2012.

Senator Merkley asked unanimous consent the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.1874, the HUBZone Qualified Census Tract Act of 2011, and the bill be passed.

Senator Kyl objected to Senator Merkley’s request. The unofficial transcript of Senators Merkley, Snowe, Landrieu and Kyl’s remarks is below.

11:00:51 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I RISE TO ASK UNANIMOUS

CONSENT OF ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, BEFORE I EXPLAIN THE UNANIMOUS

CONSENT REQUEST, I WILL GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND. THIS

IS SENATE BILL 1874 THAT SENATOR SNOWE AND I HAVE WORKED ON FOR

SOME TIME BECAUSE OF OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IN MAKING THE HUB ZONE

PROCESS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK BETTER. WHEN THIS

PROCESS OCCURS WITH EACH CENSUS, THERE IS A TWO-YEAR NIGHTMARE

OF RED TAPE BEFORE COMMUNITIES THAT SHOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS

{11:01:22} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO, AND

ACROSS THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT

ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BENEFIT FROM THIS MOST RECENT CENSUS. THEY

HAVE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. THEY ARE HIT HARD BY THE DROP IN

EXPORTS. THEY ARE HIT HARD BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE HOUSING

COMMUNITY. SAWMILLS HAVE SHUT DOWN, PAPER MILLS HAVE SHUT DOWN.

AND SO SO MANY FOLKS COME TO THIS FLOOR TO TALK ABOUT CUTTING

{11:01:55} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

RED TAPE AND TALKING ABOUT HELPING ECONOMY IN THE HEART OF

RURAL AMERICA. THEY COME TO THIS FLOOR AND THEY TALK ABOUT HOW

IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS IS, AND THIS IS A

LITTLE FIX THAT TAKES A YEAR OUT OF THE BUREAUCRACY, AND THAT’S

WHY SENATOR SNOWE AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS PROCESS.

NOW, TWICE WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AND TWICE IT HAS BEEN

CLEARED BY EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY. NEITHER TIME DID IT MAKE

IT INTO A BILL THAT GOT TO THE PRESIDENT’S DESK. SO WE ARE

{11:02:31} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

COMING BACK ONCE MORE TO SAY LET COMMON SENSE TO FIX THIS

SNAFUS — THE SNAFUS IN THE BUREAUCRACY THAT ARE TAKING AWAY

OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL AMERICA. LET’S PUT AN END TO THAT TODAY.

AND I WILL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUE TO SPEAK AND THEN WE WILL ASK

FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT. I YIELD TO THE SENATOR FROM MAINE.

{11:02:54 NSP} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MS. SNOWE: MR. PRESIDENT.

{11:02:57 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM MAINE.

{11:03:01 NSP} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MS. SNOWE: THANK YOU, AND I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM

OREGON REGARDING THIS CRITICAL ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING

ON FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME, THAT WE THOUGHT WE HAD

REALLY CLEARED ON BOTH SIDES. THERE IS NO OBJECTIONS TO THIS

LANGUAGE, WHICH IS MIGHTILY IMPORTANT TO IMPROVING THE RURAL

ECONOMIES OF THIS COUNTRY, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE IT WOULD

EXPEDITE THE HUB ZONE DESIGNATION TO ALLOW SMALL BUSINESSES IN

THOSE HUB ZONES TO PROVIDE JOBS BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT THEY

{11:03:31} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

WOULD GET PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN THE CONTRACTING PROCESS. AS

WE KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MORE THAN $400 BILLION

WORTH OF CONTRACTS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES

AND PARTICULARLY THOSE LOCATED IN HARD-HIT AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY

HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE CONTRACTING DOLLARS AND ARE ABLE TO

PARTICIPATE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING. THIS WOULD CREATE JOBS. SO I

REGRET THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET SUPPORT TO MOVE

THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD BECAUSE I KNOW THE SENATOR FROM OREGON

{11:04:03} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

HAS TESTED IT ON BOTH SIDES. WE HAVE RUN IT THROUGH THE

HOTLINE. THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS TO THE LANGUAGE, AND I CANNOT

UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN’T MOVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROPOSITION

THAT ABSOLUTELY WOULD BE CENTRAL TO CREATING JOBS IN THE AREAS

THAT NEED IT MOST THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE

GET SUCH A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. SO THIS ISN’T A DIFFICULT

ISSUE TO UNDERSTAND. IT’S VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD. EVERYBODY

AGREES TO THE LANGUAGE. IT’S MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN IMPROVE

{11:04:35} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE LANGUAGE SO WE CAN EXPEDITE THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THESE

DES NATIONS OCCUR FOR HUB ZONES, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE HUB ZONES

ARE THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SUFFERING MOST WITH RESPECT TO THE

DOWNTURN OF THIS ECONOMY. WHEN WE HAVE A PALTRY ECONOMIC GROWTH

OF 1.3%, .4% OR 2%, WHEN WE HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT’S

8.6% BUT WE HAVE HAD 9% OR HIGHER FOR A GOOD 28 MONTHS OR THE

LAST 34 MONTHS, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND THIS

COULD HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND IT COULD HELP THOSE PEOPLE IN

{11:05:09} (MS. SNOWE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THOSE AREAS WHO ARE CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED. SO I WOULD HOPE THAT

THERE WOULD BE NO OBJECTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THIS INITIATIVE.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FROM OREGON FOR HIS LEADERSHIP

ON THIS MATTER.

{11:05:24 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: I THANK MY COLLEAGUE. AND THE THIRD SPONSOR ON

THIS BILL IS SENATOR LANDRIEU, THE CHAIR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS

COMMITTEE, AND I YIELD TO HER.

{11:05:32 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. KYL: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK THE INDULGENCE OF MY COLLEAGUE.

IF MY COLLEAGUE COULD ASK THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST TO

WHICH I CAN RESPOND, THEN I CAN LEAVE. WOULD MY COLLEAGUE BE

WILLING TO DO THAT, PLEASE?

{11:05:46 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: WE WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT, ABSOLUTELY. MR.

PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE BANKING COMMITTEE BE

DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF S. 1874, THE HUB ZONE

QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACK ACT OF 2011, AND THE SENATE PROCEED TO

ITS CONSIDERATION, THAT THE BILL BE READ A THIRD TIME AND

PASSED AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID UPON THE TABLE WITH

NO INTERVENING ACTION OR DEBATE, AND ANY STATEMENTS RELATING TO

THE BILL BE PLACED IN THE RECORD AT THE APPROPRIATE PLACE AS IF

READ.

{11:06:12 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?

{11:06:16 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. KYL: MR. PRESIDENT, ON — THERE IS OBJECTION ON OUR SIDE,

AND I WILL OBJECT, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT AS A

RESULT OF SENATOR SNOWE AND SENATOR MERKLEY’S INTERCESSION

HERE, OUR STAFF HAS TALKED TO SENATOR SHELBY WHO SAYS THAT HE

WILL TRY TO WORK TO GET IT CLEARED AND TO HOTLINE IT AGAIN ON

OUR SIDE TODAY. SO AT THIS TIME I CANNOT CLEAR IT, BUT THERE

WILL BE AN EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT RESULT.

{11:06:40 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD. THE SENATOR FROM

OREGON.

{11:06:43 NSP} (MR. MERKLEY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. MERKLEY: I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM ARIZONA. WE APPRECIATE

HIS HELP. WE APPRECIATE THE — THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE

BANKING COMMITTEE ASSISTING IN THIS MATTER, AND I YIELD TO MY

COLLEAGUE FROM LOUISIANA.

{11:06:57 NSP} (MS. LANDRIEU) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MS. LANDRIEU: THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, I WANT TO ADD MY VOICE

TO THE STRONG WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY SENATOR MERKLEY AND

SENATOR SNOWE, AND AS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE THAT HAS SOME

JURISDICTION OVER THE HUB ZONE PROGRAM, I WANT TO URGE THE

BANKING COMMITTEE AND THE STAFF AND OFFER THE STAFF OF THE

SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE FOR THE MAJORITY SIDE TO WORK VERY

HARD TODAY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS CLEARED. IT’S VERY, VERY

IMPORTANT TO THE RANKING MEMBER OF OUR COMMITTEE WHO HAS WORKED

SO HARD ON THIS AND TO THE SENATOR FROM OREGON WHO HAS MADE

{11:07:27} (MS. LANDRIEU) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

VERY STRONG ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE EXPEDITING AND STREAMLINING

SOME OF THESE APPROVALS. SO I WISH THEM THE BEST. WE’RE GOING

TO WORK TODAY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS CLEARED, AND IT WOULD

BE THE SECOND REALLY SUBSTANTIAL VICTORY IN SORT OF THE HOME –

IN THE SMALL BUSINESS SPACE, HAVING GOTTEN OUR SBIR BILL

THROUGH JUST RECENTLY, AFTER SIX YEARS OF VERY ACRIMONIOUS

DEBATE, IF WE COULD GET THIS FIX TO THE HUB ZONE PROGRAM, IT

WOULD BE TERRIFIC, AND I JUST THANK THE SENATORS FOR THEIR HARD

{11:08:02} (MS. LANDRIEU) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

WORK, AND I YIELD THE FLOOR.

During Saturday’s session of the Senate, 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.

By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that the Senate take up and confirm the following nominations on the Executive Calendar and Senator McConnell objected to the request.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

# 67 Philip E. Coyle, III, of California, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and

Technology Policy

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

#86 Ben S. Bernanke – United States Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

#108 Scott C. Doney – to be Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

#112 William J. Boarman – to be Public Printer

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

#258 Phyllis Nichamoff Segal – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#259 Lisa M. Quiroz — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and

Community Service

#260 John D. Podesta — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#261 Matthew Francis McCabe — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#262 Marguerite W. Kondracke — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#263 Jane D. Hartley – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#264 Richard Christman – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION

#338 Anthony Frank D’Agostino – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

#339 Anthony Frank D’Agostino – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (Reappointment)

#340 Gregory Karawan – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

#344 Martin J. Gruenberg – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Reappointment)

#345 Martin J. Gruenberg – to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#346 Thomas J. Curry – to be Comptroller of the Currency

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

#403 Kenneth J. Kopocis – to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

#413 Richard Cordray – to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection for a term of five years

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#421 Joyce A. Barr – to be Assistant Secretary of State (Administration)

#422 Michael A. Hammer – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Public Affairs)

HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

#450 Laura A. Cordero – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 15, 2015

AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

#456 Albert DiClemente – to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

#494 David T. Danielson – to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)

#495 LaDoris Guess Harris – to be Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact, Department of Energy

#496 Gregory Howard Woods – to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy

STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

#499 James R. Hannah – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

#500 Daniel J. Becker – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#501 Mari Carmen Aponte – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Republic of El Salvador.

#502 Adam E. Namm – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Republic of Ecuador.

#503 Michael Anthony McFaul – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Russian Federation.

#504 Roberta S. Jacobson – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs),

#505 Elizabeth M. Cousens – to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.

#506 Elizabeth M. Cousens – to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#507 Michael E. Horowitz – to be Inspector General

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

#511 Rebecca M. Blank – to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

#512 Ajit Varadaraj Pai – to be a Member of the FCC for a term of five years from July 1, 2011

#513 Jessica Rosenworcel – to be a Member of the FCC for a term of five years from July 1, 2010

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

#514 Jon D. Leibowitz – to be a FTC for a term of seven years from September 26, 2010

#515 Maureen K. Ohlhausen – to be a FTC for a term of seven years from September 26, 2011

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#516 Kathryn Keneally – to be an Assistant Attorney General

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

#517 Maurice A. Jones – to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

#518 Carol J. Galante – to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

#519 Thomas Hoenig – to be Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

#520 Thomas Hoenig – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

#521 Deepa Gupta – to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring Sept. 3, 2016

#522 Christopher Merrill – to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring Jan. 26, 2016

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

#523 Stephanie Orlando – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for the remainder of the term expiring Sept. 17, 2011

#524 Stephanie Orlando – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring Sept. 17, 2014

#525 Gary Blumenthal – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring Sept. 17, 2013

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

#526 Wendy M. Spencer – to be Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

#527 – Arunava Majumdar – to be Under Secretary of Energy

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#529 Brad Carson – to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army

#530 Michael A. Sheehan – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

AIR FORCE

#531 to be Brigadier General – Col. Merle D. Hart

#532 to be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc

#533 to be Brigadier General – Col. Brian E. Dominguez

#534 to be Brigadier General – Col. John P. Currenti

#535 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John D. Bansemer

Colonel David B. Been

Colonel Michael T. Brewer

Colonel Thomas A. Bussiere

Colonel Clinton E. Crosier

Colonel Albert M. Elton, II

Colonel Michael A. Fantini

Colonel Timothy G. Fay

Colonel Edward A. Fienga

Colonel Steven D. Garland

Colonel Thomas W. Geary

Colonel Cedric D. George

Colonel Blaine D. Holt

Colonel Scott A. Howell

Colonel Ronald L. Huntley

Colonel Allen J. Jamerson

Colonel James C. Johnson

Colonel Mark D. Kelly

Colonel Scott A. Kindsvater

Colonel Donald E. Kirkland

Colonel Bruce H. McClintock

Colonel Martha A. Meeker

Colonel John E. Michel

Colonel Charles L. Moore, Jr.

Colonel Gregory S. Otey

Colonel John T. Quintas

Colonel Michael D. Rothstein

Colonel Kevin B. Schneider

Colonel Scott F. Smith

Colonel Bradley D. Spacy

Colonel Ferdinand B. Stoss

Colonel Jacqueline D. Van Ovost

Colonel James C. Vechery

Colonel Christopher P. Weggeman

Colonel Kevin B. Wooton

Colonel Sarah E. Zabel

ARMY

#536 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, III

#537 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John W. Baker

Colonel Margaret W. Burcham

Colonel Richard D. Clarke, Jr.

Colonel Roger L. Cloutier, Jr.

Colonel Timothy R. Coffin

Colonel Peggy C. Combs

Colonel Bruce T. Crawford

Colonel Jason T. Evans

Colonel Stephen E. Farmen

Colonel John G. Ferrari

Colonel Kimberly Field

Colonel Duane A. Gamble

Colonel Ryan F. Gonsalves

Colonel Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr.

Colonel Steven R. Grove

Colonel William B. Hickman

Colonel Christopher P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel L. Karbler

Colonel Ronald F. Lewis

Colonel James B. Linder

Colonel Michael D. Lundy

Colonel David K. MacEwen

Colonel Todd B. McCaffrey

Colonel Paul M. Nakasone

Colonel Paul A. Ostrowski

Colonel Laura J. Richardson

Colonel Steven A. Shapiro

Colonel James E. Simpson

Colonel Mark R. Stammer

Colonel Michael C. Wehr

Colonel Eric P. Wendt

#538 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar

#539 to be Lieutenant General – Maj. Gen. Mary A. Legere

#540 to be Major General – Col. Jimmie O. Keenan

#541 Mary John Miller – to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury

#542 Henry J. Aaron – to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board

#543 Kathleen Kerrigan – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for the term of fifteen years

#544 Alastair M. Fitzpayne – to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Reid-McConnell substitute amendment #1465 (2-month extension of the payroll tax deduction, doc fix, and unemployment insurance) to H.R.3630; Agreed to: 89-10

2) Passage of H.R.3672, emergency disaster funding; Passed: 72-27

3) Adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding; Not Adopted: 43-56

4) Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations; Adopted: 67-32

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3630, a bill to extend the payroll tax holiday, unemployment compensation, Medicare physician payment, provide for the consideration of the Keystone XL pipeline, as amended.

Adopted S.Res.349, commemorating and honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces and their families as the official combat mission in Iraq draws to a close by voice vote.

Adopted H.J.Res.96, a 6-day continuing resolution.

Concurred in the House message to accompany S.278, the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District Land Exchange Act of 2011.

Discharged the Banking Committee and Passed S.1874, the HUBZone Qualified Census Tract Act of 2011.

Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and Passed S.1959, to require a report on the designation of the Haqqani Network as a foreign terrorist organization and for other purposes with a Burr amendment.

Discharged the EPW Committee and Passed S.1710, a bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 222 West 7^th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, as the James M. Fitzgerald United States Courthouse.

Passed H.R.1264, To designate the property between the United States Federal Courthouse and the Ed Jones Building located at 109 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, as the “M.D. Anderson Plaza” and to authorize the placement of a historical/identification marker on the grounds recognizing the achievements and philanthropy of M.D. Anderson.

Passed Calendar #258, H.R.789, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Main Street in Little Ferry, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office”.

Passed Calendar #259, H.R.2422, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the “Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office”.

Adopted S.Res.351, Recognizing the 40^th anniversary of the enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.440, To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.3012, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2011.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#421 Joyce A. Barr – to be Assistant Secretary of State (Administration)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#503 Michael Anthony McFaul – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Russian Federation.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#529 Brad Carson – to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army

#530 Michael A. Sheehan – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

AIR FORCE

#531 to be Brigadier General – Col. Merle D. Hart

#532 to be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc

#533 to be Brigadier General – Col. Brian E. Dominguez

#534 to be Brigadier General – Col. John P. Currenti

#535 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John D. Bansemer

Colonel David B. Been

Colonel Michael T. Brewer

Colonel Thomas A. Bussiere

Colonel Clinton E. Crosier

Colonel Albert M. Elton, II

Colonel Michael A. Fantini

Colonel Timothy G. Fay

Colonel Edward A. Fienga

Colonel Steven D. Garland

Colonel Thomas W. Geary

Colonel Cedric D. George

Colonel Blaine D. Holt

Colonel Scott A. Howell

Colonel Ronald L. Huntley

Colonel Allen J. Jamerson

Colonel James C. Johnson

Colonel Mark D. Kelly

Colonel Scott A. Kindsvater

Colonel Donald E. Kirkland

Colonel Bruce H. McClintock

Colonel Martha A. Meeker

Colonel John E. Michel

Colonel Charles L. Moore, Jr.

Colonel Gregory S. Otey

Colonel John T. Quintas

Colonel Michael D. Rothstein

Colonel Kevin B. Schneider

Colonel Scott F. Smith

Colonel Ferdinand B. Stoss

Colonel Jacqueline D. Van Ovost

Colonel James C. Vechery

Colonel Christopher P. Weggeman

Colonel Kevin B. Wooton

Colonel Sarah E. Zabel

ARMY

#536 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, III

#537 to be Brigadier General –

Colonel John W. Baker

Colonel Margaret W. Burcham

Colonel Richard D. Clarke, Jr.

Colonel Roger L. Cloutier, Jr.

Colonel Timothy R. Coffin

Colonel Peggy C. Combs

Colonel Bruce T. Crawford

Colonel Jason T. Evans

Colonel Stephen E. Farmen

Colonel John G. Ferrari

Colonel Kimberly Field

Colonel Duane A. Gamble

Colonel Ryan F. Gonsalves

Colonel Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr.

Colonel Steven R. Grove

Colonel William B. Hickman

Colonel Christopher P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel P. Hughes

Colonel Daniel L. Karbler

Colonel Ronald F. Lewis

Colonel James B. Linder

Colonel Michael D. Lundy

Colonel David K. MacEwen

Colonel Todd B. McCaffrey

Colonel Paul M. Nakasone

Colonel Paul A. Ostrowski

Colonel Laura J. Richardson

Colonel Steven A. Shapiro

Colonel James E. Simpson

Colonel Mark R. Stammer

Colonel Michael C. Wehr

Colonel Eric P. Wendt

#538 to be Major General – Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar

#539 to be Lieutenant General – Maj. Gen. Mary A. Legere

#540 to be Major General – Col. Jimmie O. Keenan

All nominations on the Secretary’s desk

All nominations received by the Senate during the 112th Congress, first session, will remain in status quo, notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXXI, paragraph 6, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, with the following exceptions:

Cal. #43 Caitlin Joan Halligan, to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia

Cal. # 67 Philip E. Coyle, III, to be an Associate Director Office of Science and Technology Policy

Cal. #112 William J. Boarman – to be Public Printer

Cal. #185 Michael Green US District Judge for the Western District of New York

Cal. #413 Richard Cordray – to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

PN2 Victoria Frances Nourse, of Wisconsin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit

PN14 Louis B. Butler, Jr., of Wisconsin, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin

PN95 V. Natasha Perdew Silas, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia

PN96-112 Linda T. Walker, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia

PN158 Arvo Mikkanen, of Oklahoma, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma

PN317 Steve Six, of Kansas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit

PN653 Rebecca R. Wodder, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife

——————————————————————————-

The House adjourned 12/16/2011 pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2011.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate

11/18/2011 Nativegrl77

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.