The Senate Convenes at 10amET June 14, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11am with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each with the time 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.Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations: – Cal # 73, Claire C. Cecchi, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey – Cal # 81, Esther Salas, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New JerseyThere will be one hour for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to up to 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the Cecchi and Salas nominations.The filing deadline for all 2nd degree amendments to the Coburn amendment #436, as modified to S.782, the Economic Development Act is at 11:30am on Tuesday.Further, following disposition of the nominations, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m., for the weekly party conferences.At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.782, the Economic Development Act, with 5 minutes for debate only equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents of the Coburn amendment #436, as modified prior to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Coburn amendment #436, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise TaxCredit).Following the cloture vote, Senator Rubio will be recognized as if in morning business for debate only for up to 20 minutes for the purpose of giving his maiden speech to the Senate.The following 17 amendments are pending to S.782, the Economic Development Act:-DeMint amendment #394 (to repeal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) -Paul amendment #414 (to increase debt limit by $2.406 trillion) -Cardin amendment #407 (prohibition on interest charges for on-time principal payments) -Merkley amendment #428 (mortgage servicing) -Kohl amendment #389 (NOPEC) -Hutchison amendment #423 (delay implementation of health care reform until pending lawsuits are resolved) -Portman amendment ##417 (inclusion of application to independent regulatory agencies) -Portman amendment #418 (Unfunded Mandates Reform Act) –McCain amendment #411 (prohibit Federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps/storage facilities) -McCain amendment #412(repeal of Davis-Bacon wage requirements) -Merkley amendment #440 (Energy Efficient Loan Program) -Coburn amendment #436, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit) *cloture filed -Brown (MA) amendment #405 (repeal imposition of withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government entities) –Inhofe amendment #430 (reduce the amounts appropriated for EDA) -Inhofe amendment #438 (regulatory assessment) -Merkley amendment #427 (technical correction to the HUBZone designation process) -McCain 2nd degree amendment #441 (to prohibit federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps or ethanol storage facilities) to Coburn amendment #436, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit) Votes: 88: Confirmation of Cal # 73, Claire C. Cecchi, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Confirmed: 98-0 Confirmed Cal # 81, Esther Salas, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey by voice vote.89: Now voting on the motion to invoke cloture on the Coburn amendment #436: , as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit) to S.782, the Economic Development Act; Not Invoked: 40-59

11:39 P.M. – On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2011.

Ms. Foxx moved that the House do now adjourn.

11:38 P.M. – The House received a communication from the Honorable Brad Sherman. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Sherman notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena, issued by the Superior Court of California, for testimony and documents and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that the subpoena was not a “proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court”.

H.R. 2112:

making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2112as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Kingston moved that the Committee rise.

11:36 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richardson amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Richardson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:26 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment to reduce funding for the Farm Service Agency account by $10 million and to increase funding for the Commodity Assistance Program account by $10 million.

11:25 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:16 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.

11:15 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the account for Agricultural Marketing Services by $7,750,000 (10 percent) and to apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

11:14 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Clarke (MI) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Clarke (MI) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:07 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Clarke (MI) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Clarke (MI).

An amendment to reduce funding for the Buildings and Facilities account by $1 million and to increase funding for the Agricultural Marketing Service account by $1 million.

11:06 P.M. – Mr. Kingston raised a point of order against the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Mr. Kingston stated that the amendment does not meet the budget neutral requirement necessary for the amendment to be considered en bloc. The Chair sustained the point of order.

10:56 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

10:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Nugent amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:48 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nugent amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Nugent.

An amendment to increase funding for the Agricultural Research Service by $2 million and to reduce funding for Foreign Assistance by $2.5 million.

10:47 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:44 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the Economic Research Service by $7 million and to increase the spending reduction account by a similar amount.

10:43 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Chaffetz amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Kingston demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:19 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Chaffetz amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Chaffetz.

An amendment to reduce funding for the Economic Research Service by $43 million; reduce funding for the National Agricultural Statistics Service by $85 million; reduce funding for salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research Service by $650 million; reduce funding for Food For Peace Title II Grants by $1,040,198,000 and to apply $1,818,198,000 to the savings reduction account.

10:18 P.M. – On agreeing to the Young (IN) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:16 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Young (IN) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Young (IN).

An amendment to reduce the account for Departmental Administration by $2,390,000 and to apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

10:15 P.M. – On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:09 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Clarke (MI) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Clarke (MI).

An amendment to increase funding for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program by $5 million offset by a reduction in the Departmental Administration account by a similar amount.

10:08 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:04 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the account for operation, maintenance, improvement, and repair of Agriculture buildings and facilities by $20,900,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

10:03 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Farr amendment, the Chair put the question adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Farr demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:58 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Farr amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Farr.

An amendment to increase funding for Agricultural Marketing Service by $300,000 and reduce the account for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments by $342,000.

9:57 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Sessions amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Farr demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:53 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Sessions amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Sessions.

An amendment to strike the proviso relating to FAIR Act of Circular A-76 activities.

9:52 P.M. – On agreeing to the Fortenberry amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

9:42 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fortenberry amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Fortenberry.

An amendment to increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program by $1 million offset by a reduction in the account for the Office of the Chief Information Officer by a similar amount.

9:40 P.M. – Mr. Kingston raised a point of order against the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Mr. Kingston stated that the amendment does not meet the budget neutral requirement necessary for the amendment to be considered en bloc. The Chair sustained the point of order.

9:31 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment to increase funding for the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture by $25 million offset by a reduction in the Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments account by a similar amount.

9:30 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the DeLauro amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:22 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the DeLauro amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. DeLauro.

An amendment to increase funding for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition by $1 million which is offset by specified reductions in other accounts.

9:21 P.M. – On agreeing to the DeLauro amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

7:29 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the DeLauro amendment under the five-minute rule.

7:28 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. DeLauro.

An amendment to increase and reduce necessary expenses for the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture by $136,070,000.

3:43 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

2:36 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2112.House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 300and Rule XVIII.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2112with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by paragraph. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 300.

2:34 P.M. – The House received a communication from the Honorable Tom Reed. Mr. Reed submitted his resignation from the Committee on Rules. The resignation was accepted without objection.

H. Res. 303:

electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives 

2:33 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 300:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2112) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

2:32 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 180 (Roll no. 419).

2:25 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to H.Res. 300 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

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 

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

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 411 – 5 (Roll no. 418).

2:18 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 184 – 234 (Roll no. 417).

1:54 P.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

1:43 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Owens motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to increase funds for veterans medical services for post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention by $20 million and offsets it with a $25 million reduction in the Department of Veteran Affairs’ information technology programs. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was removed.Mr. Owens moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

1:42 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

1:41 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.R. 2055, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 300:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2112) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 300, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.

1:40 P.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:27 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 300.Considered as privileged matter.

12:26 P.M. – PRINTING PROCEEDINGS OF FORMER MEMBERS PROGRAM – Mrs. Foxx asked unanimous consent that the proceedings during the former Members program be printed in the Congressional Record and that all Members and former Members who spoke during the recess have the privilege of revising and extending their remarks. Agreed to without objection.

12:25 P.M. – MEXICO-UNITED STATES INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276h, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the MEXICO-UNITED STATES INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP: Mr. Mack, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Bilbray and Mr. Canseco.

12:24 P.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to blocking the property of certain persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Belarus – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-35).

12:23 P.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 14, 2011 at 10:38 a.m.: Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group.

12:02 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.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:01 P.M. – The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Mark Smith, Ohio Christian University, Circleville, OH.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 14.

10:30 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. – MORNING HOUR DEBATES – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.