Tag Archives: Party leaders of the United States Senate

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CONGRESS: the Republican led House keeps taking days off – the Senate considers S.3187,FDA user fees


the Senate Convened at 9:30amET May 23, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is his intention to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3187, the FDA user fees legislation.
  • Following the remarks of the Majority Leader and the Republican Leader, the first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two sides with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • At 11:00am, the motion to proceed to S.3187 will be adopted, the Harkin-Enzi substitute amendment will be agreed to and considered original text for the purposes of further amendment. The Majority Leader will then be recognized.
  • Additionally, the Majority will control the time from 1:00pm until 2:00pm.
  • We are working on an agreement for amendments to the FDA user fees legislation.  We hope an agreement can be reached without filing cloture on the bill.  Senators will be notified if an agreement is reached and when votes are scheduled.

By consent, the previous order to adopt them motion to proceed to S.3187, the FDA bill, has been delayed until 12:30pm today. The Majority Leader will be recognized prior to adoption of the motion to proceed.

By consent, the previous order to adopt them motion to proceed to S.3187, the FDA bill, has been delayed until 2:15pm today. The Majority Leader will be recognized prior to adoption of the motion to proceed. As a reminder, the previous order is to adopt the motion to proceed and agree to the Harkin-Enzi substitute amendment by consent.

The Senate has reached an agreement to limit amendments to S.3187, the FDA bill, to those amendments listed below. No other amendments are in order. There will be 30 minutes for debate on each amendment, except for the McCain amendment, and 60 minutes on the bill, both equally divided in the usual form. There will be 2 hours equally divided on the McCain amendment #2107.

At 2pm on Thursday, May 24, all debate time will be considered expired and the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed. Amendments are subject to a majority vote except where noted with a 60 affirmative vote thresholds. There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration. No motions or points of order are in order to the amendment or the bill other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive or motions to table. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of S.3187, as amended.

Further upon disposition of the FDA bill, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.2343, the Student Loan interest rate bill. There will be 10 minutes for debate prior to a series of 2 roll call votes. The first, in relation to McConnell, or designee, amendment, which is identical to the text of S.2366, and then on passage of S.2343, as amended, if amended. The amendment and bill are subject to 60-vote thresholds. No motions or points of order are in order to the amendment or the bill other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive. If the bill does not achieve 60 affirmative votes, S.2343 will be returned to the Calendar.  Senator Reid’s previously entered motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote is withdrawn.

Amendments in order to the FDA bill:

– Bingaman #2111 (generic filings) (60-vote threshold)**;

– McCain #2107 (reimportation) (60-vote threshold)**;

– Sanders #2109 (criminal fraud/exclusivity) (60-vote threshold)**;

– Murkowski #2108 (genetically engineered salmon) (60-vote threshold)**;

– Cardin #2125 (health benefits/risks);

– Cardin #2141 (FDA report – small business);

– Grassley #2121 (whistleblower protections III);

– Grassley #2129 (GAO report – clinical trials);

– Manchin #2151, as modified [or new version??] (reclassifying hydrocodone under Controlled Substances Act)**;

– Portman #2146, as modified (Synthetic drugs – controlled substances);

– Portman #2145, as modified (Rx drug monitoring);

– Reed #2126 (Sunscreen testing/labeling); and

– Coburn #2132 (FDA employee performance standards)**;

– Coburn #2131 (Drug Application Review Process)**;

– Durbin #2127 (dietary supplements)**;

– Paul #2143 (supplements)]**;

– Burr #2130 (Congress – user fee negotiations)**.

** indicates the most likely targets for roll call votes.

The following amendments are pending to S.3187, the FDA user fees bill:

The following amendments have been considered to S.3187, the FDA user fees bill:

  • Harkin-Enzi amendment #2122 (substitute); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Cardin amendment #2125 (health benefits/risks); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Cardin amendment #2141 (FDA report-small business); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Grassley amendment #2121 (whistleblower protections III); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Grassley amendment #2129 (GAO report – clinical trials)
  • Manchin amendment #2151, as modified (reclassification of hydrocodone under Controlled Substances Act); agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Reed amendment #2126 (Sunscreen testing/labeling); agreed to by unanimous consent

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Banking committee and passed S.2367, a bill to strike the word “lunatic” from Federal law, and for other purposes.

Passed H.R.4097, the John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2012.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3220, the Paycheck Fairness Act. (Mikulski and others)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3221, the Rewarding Achievement and Incentivizing Successful Employees Act. (Rubio and others)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————————————————–

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 25, 2012.

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a message from Senator Al Franken … Let’s talk about intellectu​al property


Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota

As you may know, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided not to bring the PROTECT IP Act (the Senate’s version of SOPA) up for a vote next week. And since I’ve heard from many of you about this issue, I wanted to take a moment to share why I support copyright protection legislation – as well as why I believe holding off on this bill is the right thing to do.

As someone who has worked hard to protect net neutrality, I understand as well as anyone the importance of keeping the Internet free from undue corporate influence. There are millions of Americans who rely on a free and open Internet to learn, communicate with friends and family, and do business.

At the same time, there are millions of Americans whose livelihoods rely on strong protections for intellectual property: middle-class workers – most of them union workers – in all 50 states, thousands of them here in Minnesota, working in a variety of industries from film production to publishing to software development.

If we don’t protect our intellectual property, international criminals – as well as legitimate businesses like payment processors and ad networks – will continue to profit dishonestly from the work these Americans are doing every day. And that puts these millions of jobs at serious risk.

That’s reason enough to act. But these criminals are also putting Minnesota families in danger by flooding our nation with counterfeit products – not just bootleg movies and software, but phony medications and knockoff equipment for first responders.

We cannot simply shrug off the threat of online piracy. We cannot do nothing.

I have supported the approach Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has taken in crafting legislation to respond to the threat of online piracy – and I appreciate his leadership on this important issue.

But I’ve also been listening carefully to the debate – and to the many Minnesotans who have told me via email, Facebook, Twitter, and good old fashioned phone calls that they are worried about what this bill would mean for the future of the Internet.

Frankly, there is a lot of misinformation floating around out there: If this bill really did some of the things people have heard it would do (like shutting down YouTube), I would never have supported it.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take seriously the concerns people have shared. And if holding off on this legislation gives us an opportunity to take a step back and try to bring everybody back to the table, I think it’s the right thing to do. This is a difficult issue, and also an important one. It’s worth getting this right.

I strongly believe that we need to protect intellectual property – and protect the free and open Internet. I think most people, even those who have expressed concern about this particular bill, agree. And it’s my hope that we can now build a stronger consensus around how to accomplish these two important goals.

Thanks for reading. And for those of you who have written to me about this issue (even if it was an angry letter), thanks for being honest with me. I’ll always return the favor.

Al

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Iraq Veteran Hails Vow to Hire Heroes Act


by on Nov 10, 2011

Eric Smith, 26, joins Senate Democrats to urge the House to pass the jobs legislation that will help put unemployed veterans back to work.

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what’s happening on the floor of Congress: -the Republican led House -the Senate


the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET May 3, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 5:00 pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the Majority will control the next 30 minutes.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15 pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to S.493, the Small Business Jobs bill is at 2:30pm today. If your Senator has a germane first degree amendment and would like to preserve his or her right to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to 2:30pm today. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.Res.159, a resolution honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, and for other purposes, with up to 90 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The final 10 minutes of debate will be reserved for the two Leaders, with the Republican Leader controlling five minutes and the Majority Leader controlling the final five minutes.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 3:45pm), the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on adoption of the resolution. Senator Reid encourages Senators to vote from their desks.

The Senate is currently in a period of morning business until 5:00pm for debate only with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes today.

Votes:

63: Adoption of S.Res.159, honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, and for other purposes; Adopted: 97-0

Unanimous Consent:

S.Res.160, designating May 6, 2011, as “Military Spouse Appreciation Day”.

S.Res.161, designating May 2011 as “National Inventors Month”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 3, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:45 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:44 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 1214: to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction

6:43 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1214 as unfinished business.

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

Mr. Burgess moved that the Committee rise.

6:42 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:39 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pallone amendment numbered 2 under the five-minute rule.

6:38 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Pallone. An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to require a GAO study to determine school districts most in need of constructing or renovating school-based health centers.

6:37 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:28 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No.1 under the five-minute rule.

6:27 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX). An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to insert a new paragraph requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to post a notice of recission of unobligated funds made available by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act not later than 10 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the Department’s public website.

6:26 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

6:25 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1213: to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges

6:21 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 – 183 (Roll no. 285).

6:14 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 233 (Roll no. 284).

5:48 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a provision that would require health insurance issuers to disclose the extent to which coverage has been denied or premiums have been increased for an individual. A point of order was reserved, but was subsequently withdrawn.

5:47 P.M. – Mr. Boswell moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce. Mr. Boswell moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1213 to the Committee on Energy and Commerce with instructions to report the same to the House forthwith with the following amendment: � In section 1, add at the end the following: � (c) CANCER OR OTHER PREEXISTING CONDITION NON-DISCRIMINATION DISCLOSURE CONDITION. — ***

5:46 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1213.

5:45 P.M. – On agreeing to the Ellison amendment Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 242 (Roll no. 283).

5:37 P.M. – On agreeing to the Waters amendment Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 242 (Roll no. 282).

5:30 P.M. – On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 177 – 239 (Roll no. 281).

5:07 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1214: to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction

5:06 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1214 as unfinished business.

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

5:05 P.M. – Mr. Burgess moved that the Committee rise.

3:55 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1214.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 236 and Rule XVIII.

3:54 P.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1213 and H.R. 1214 with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. In both cases, the previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The measures will be considered read. In the case of H.R. 1213, specified amendments are in order. In the case of H.R. 1214, the resolution makes in order only those amendments that are received for printing in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII in a daily issue dated May 2, 2011, and pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 236.

H.R. 1213: to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1213 as unfinished business.

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

Mr. Burgess moved that the Committee now rise.

3:53 P.M. – On agreeing to the Welch amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:43 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Welch (VT) substitute amendment No. 5.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Welch.

A substitute amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-70 to preserve funding for establishment of Health Benefit Exchanges for states that apply for early innovator grants before 2012. The funds used shall be subject to availability of appropriations up to $1.9 billion.

On agreeing to the Pallone amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:31 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 4.

Amendment offered by Mr. Pallone.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-70 to require GAO to report on benefits of funding in setting up state run exchanges that reflect that state’s marketplace, as opposed to state exchanges established and operated by the federal government.

3:30 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ellison amendment no. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:19 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison amendment No. 3.

Amendment offered by Mr. Ellison.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-70 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on the impact of H.R. 1213 on the possible delays and potential enrollment reductions to Health Benefit Exchanges.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waters amendment no. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Waters demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:12 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waters amendment No. 2.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-70 to require, within 6 months after enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on the extent to which states are expected to have difficulties establishing Health Benefit Exchanges without the federal assistance repealed and rescinded under this bill.

3:11 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment no. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:00 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX). An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-70 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to post notice of rescission of funds and the amount rescinded on the public website of the Department of Health and Human Services.

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 1.

1:49 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1213.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 236 and Rule XVIII.

1:48 P.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1213 and H.R. 1214 with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. In both cases, the previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The measures will be considered read. In the case of H.R. 1213, specified amendments are in order. In the case of H.R. 1214, the resolution makes in order only those amendments that are received for printing in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII in a daily issue dated May 2, 2011, and pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 236.

H.R. 1425: to reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes

1:46 P.M. – RE-REFERRAL OF H.R. 1425 – Mr. Hall(TX) asked unanimous consent the H.R. 1425 be re-referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition, to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Armed Services. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 236: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1213) to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1214) to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 237 – 185 (Roll no. 280).

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

1:39 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 234 – 185 (Roll no. 279).

12:16 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 236.

12:13 P.M. – Considered as privileged matter.

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. Payne 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. Alan Kieran, Office of the U.S. Senate Chaplain, Washington DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 3.

10:43 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:02 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:01 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

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

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288 reasons to fight


First they tried to shut down the government to defund women’s health.

Then two weeks ago they passed a budget that demolishes Medicare.

And all the while, GOP leaders in both houses are still pushing to give more huge tax cuts to big corporations that ship American jobs overseas — including handouts to Big Oil even before the first anniversary of BP’s Gulf Coast disaster.

There are reasons we need to keep fighting. In fact, 288 Republican members of the House and Senate mean we have 288 reasons. And if we aren’t strong enough or committed enough to stop their agenda, we will lose our country as we know it.

Your support is crucial as we challenge the Republican Party for the future of our nation. Help us fight their agenda by contributing $10, $20, $35, or more right now.

My biggest focus as I lead the Senate majority is helping families across the country weather this recession. There still are obstacles. College costs are rising faster than paychecks, too many Nevadans are still out of work, and not even our veterans are immune to falling on hard times — and just one homeless veteran is one too many.

These challenges tell us that we must do better. But we can’t reach the kind of success America is known for so long as Republicans in the House and Senate continue to line the pockets of their corporate buddies while letting their Tea Party wing lead an agenda of partisan wedge issues.

Our opposition is strong. There are 288 of them. They’re well-financed, and they have the resources to wreak havoc on our nation’s future if we don’t succeed in stopping them.

I know there’s still fight left in us. Chip in $10 today because there are 288 reasons we can’t stop standing up for what we know is important.

Thanks for everything,

Harry Reid