Tag Archives: Party leaders of the United States Senate

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Congress: Shutdown Fever

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The federal government is now hours away from a shutdown, after House Republicans once again refused to compromise with Senate Democrats and the White House on funding for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year. The third White House meeting in two days failed to produce a deal last night, with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) releasing a joint statement saying, “We have narrowed the issues, however, we have not yet reached an agreement. We will continue to work through the night to attempt to resolve our remaining differences.” President Obama added that he is “not yet prepared to express wild optimism” about avoiding a shutdown, even though the parties are about $5 billion apart when it comes to the level of spending cuts they say are acceptable (which “amounts to one-half of 1 percent of the trillion dollars in spending”). Unless the situation is resolved by midnight, the shutdown will go into effect, marking the first time that the federal government has shut down in 15 years.

NOT ABOUT THE MONEY : Reid took to the Senate floor early yesterday to announce that the parties had essentially settled on a level of spending cuts for the remainder of FY2011, and that the holdup is because of various policy “riders” that Republicans want to include on the funding bill, including one cutting funding for Planned Parenthood and another blocking the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases. “The two main issues that are holding this matter up are the choice of women, reproductive rights, and clean air,” Reid said. Republicans attached more than 80 riders to their initial funding bill, including several that actually increase federal spending . “We will continue to insist that the policy riders passed in H.R. 1 are on the table. It’s just as important to many of our members as the spending cuts themselves,” Boehner said. If it occurs, this would not be the first time that the GOP has shut down the government over matters unrelated to the budget. In fact, “It was this same insistence on unrelated policy riders by Republicans that prompted the last government shutdown in 1995.” As the Denver Post reported at the time, “[Speaker] Gingrich and [Senate Majority Leader] Dole are offering the funding and higher-debt bills but have loaded them with ‘riders’ such as the Medicare bill that the president won’t accept and with other items such as limits on appeals by death-row inmates.” Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has urged his party to drop the policy riders in order to avoid a shutdown. “And my recommendation to my friends in the House is, you know, it’s highly unlikely many riders are going to get passed…so why don’t you take the spending [cuts] and let’s get on to the budget,” he said. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) had the same message for his GOP colleagues. “If it is repeal Obamacare, do we think in two weeks or a month Obama’s going to go — ‘you guys were right, and sign onto it?’ I don’t think so. So you better look at what your goals are and what you’re willing to accept or don’t do it,” Simpson said.

PROCEDURAL SHENANIGANS : Democrats, after bringing H.R. 1 up for a vote in the Senate and defeating it, eventually agreed to more than $30 billion in cuts, essentially conceding to the GOP’s original position. But House Republicans, in an attempt to shift blame for the shutdown, have been passing various pieces of legislation that they know have no chance of becoming law. The first simply reasserted that, if the Senate approved, H.R. 1 would become law. Yesterday, the House Republicans tried a different tactic, bringing to the floor another stopgap funding bill that would keep the government open for one week. However, the Republicans attached several poison pills to the measure that they knew were unacceptable to Senate Democrats and the administration, including a restriction against the District of Columbia using its own local funds for abortions and several anti-environmental provisions, plus an extra $12 billion in cuts. The White House issued a veto threat against the bill, calling it “a distraction from the real work that would bring us closer to a reasonable compromise.” Because the stopgap measure would have funded the military for the rest of the fiscal year, House Republicans then decried the President for opposing a “troop funding bill.” Of course, they left out of their rhetoric the fact that House Democrats “tried three times to pass a measure that would ensure the troops received pay,” and that the clean continuing resolution requested by the White House would also fully fund the military.

HURTING THE ECONOMY : If the government shuts down tonight, all government functions deemed non-essential will be stopped in their tracks. But non-essential describes a wide variety of important government functions, which, if they stop, can do economic harm to individuals, businesses, and the wider economy. According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, a shutdown “could shave 0.2 percent off the growth of Gross Domestic Product for every week it continued.” Since it would come during tax season, a shutdown would also “delay $42.1 billion of refunds to about 14 million U.S. taxpayers,” the majority of whom are middle-class or low-income. A shutdown could possibly increase the deficit by increasing the costs of funding the nation’s debt (which it did in 1995). $50 million in small business loans per day from the Small Business Administration will be blocked, workplace safety complaints will go unanswered, and insider trading investigations will grind to a halt. And, of course, 800,000 federal employees will be furloughed, costing the Treasury about $174 million per day in back wages. A shutdown also threatens the already fragile housing market, as “the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development‘s Federal Housing Administration — which insures and guarantees a large number of single-family mortgages and even more rental and multifamily properties — would cease operations,” thereby preventing home closings and the issuance of new private sector loans.

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Congress -what is going on in the Senate 2/2, 2/3 & 2/4


 The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET Friday 4, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate.

By unanimous consent, the Senate locked in the agreement outlined below with respect to Executive nominations. As a result of this agreement, there will be 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm on Monday.

On Monday, February 7, 2011, at 4:30 pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

– Calendar #3 Paul Holmes, of AR, to be US District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas;

– Calendar #6 Diana Saldana, of TX, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas;

– Calendar #8 Marco Hernandez, of OR, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon.

There will be one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, Calendar #8 will be confirmed and the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of Calendar #3 and Calendar #6 in that order.

As a result of this agreement, at 5:30pm on Monday, February 7, there will be 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

– Calendar #3 Paul Holmes, of AR, to be US District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas; and

– Calendar #6 Diana Saldana, of TX, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas;

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The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET February 3, 2011

Morning business until 10:30am.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the FAA Authorization bill.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Whitehouse amendment #8 (laser pointers)

– Wicker amendment #14 (Excludes TSA from collective bargaining)

– Blunt amendment #5 (private screening company)

– Nelson (FL) #34 (NASA)

– Paul #21 (reduce authorization for FAA to FY2008 levels)

– Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

– Paul #19 (Davis Bacon)

Other Senators are waiting to offer their amendments. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

1-3pm morning business for the purpose of giving remarks relative to the upcoming centennial of the birth of President Ronald Reagan.

3:00pm Senator Manchin will give his maiden speech to the Senate.

The Senate has entered into an agreement that provides for 2 roll call votes around 5:20pm, if all time is used. Please note that some time may be yielded back and the votes could begin earlier.

Under the agreement, Senator Paul will call up amendment #19 (Davis Bacon). There will then be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided between Senators Paul and Rockefeller, or their designees. There will then be up to 10 minutes for debate equally divided on the Whitehouse amendment #8 (laser pointers) between Senators Whitehouse and Hutchison, or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the following amendments:

– Whitehouse #8 (laser pointers)

– Paul #19 (Davis Bacon)

There will be no amendments or points of order in order prior to the votes.

Votes:

10: Whitehouse amendment #8: (laser pointers);

Agreed To: 96-1

11: Rockefeller motion to table the Paul amendment #19: (Davis Bacon);

Tabled: 55-42

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.42, a resolution making Majority Party committee appointments.

Adopted S.Res.43, a resolution making Minority Party committee appointments.

Adopted S.Res.44, a resolution supporting democracy, universal rights, and the peaceful transition to a representative government in Egypt.

Adopted S.Res.45, a resolution congratulating the Eastern Washington University Football team for winning the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision title.

—————————————-

 the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET Wednesday

Following any Leader remarks, Senator Paul will be recognized for up to 20 minutes in morning business to deliver his maiden speech.

Following his remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration bill.

The following amendments are pending to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Stabenow #9 (1099 Reporting)

– McConnell #13 (Health Care Repeal)

– Levin #28 (1099 repeal)

This morning in his opening statement, Senator Reid announced to his colleagues that he spoke to Senator McConnell and they agreed to work towards having up to 3 roll call votes in the 5-6pm range this evening.

Those votes would be in relation to the following amendments to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Possible Democratic amendment (1099 Reporting);

– Stabenow amendment #9 (1099 Reporting); and

– McConnell amendment #13 (Health Care Law Repeal).

At 5:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Levin amendment #28 (repeal of 1099 with oil and gas offset);

– Stabenow amendment #9 (repeal of 1099 with unspent discretionary funds offset, exempts DoD, VA and Social Security Administration); and

– McConnell amendment #13 (repeal of health care reform).

The Levin amendment is subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold for its adoption. No other amendments, points of order or motions are in order to these amendments prior to the votes except a Budge point of order, if applicable.

There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. The first vote will be 15 minutes in duration and the remaining 2 votes will be 10 minutes in duration.

Votes:

7: Levin amendment #28: (repeal of 1099 with oil and gas offset) (60-vote threshold);

Not Agreed To: 44-54

8: Stabenow motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to Stabenow amendment #9: (repeal of 1099 with unspent discretionary funds offset, exempts DoD, VA and Social Security Administration);

Waived: 81-17 (subsequently agreed to by consent)

9: McConnell motion to waive Budget Act with respect to McConnell amendment #13: (repeal of health care reform);

Not Agreed To: 47-51

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.30, a resolution celebrating February 2, 2011, as the 25th anniversary of ‘National Women and Girls in Sports Day’.

Adopted S.Res.36, a resolution raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2011 as “National Stalking Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.37, a resolution recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week.

Adopted S.Res.38, a resolution congratulating Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on its 100th anniversary.

Adopted S.Res.39, a resolution congratulating the Auburn University football team for winning the 2010 Bowl Championship Series National Championship.

Adopted S.Res.40, a resolution congratulating the University of Akron men’s soccer team on winning the National Collegiate Athletic Associate Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.

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We didn’t win on filibuster reform, but three senators fought hard


 Tell Sens. Merkley, Udall and Harkin: Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6896&id=15715-2591629-a2G1Mzx&t=1

These three champions of filibuster reform deserve recognition for their leadership.

 Clicking here will automatically add your name to this petition to Sens. Tom Udall, Tom Harkin and Jeff Merkley:

“Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform. We support you in the continuing fight to fix the Senate.”

  The end game for Senate rules reform has become clear, and it’s not pretty.

Despite the best efforts of Senators Merkley, Tom Udall and Harkin, in the near future we’re likely to see only a weak, bipartisan gesture towards Senate reform. At most there will be a few minor tweaks to how the Senate is run without any attempt to address its underlying dysfunction.

While disappointed, we cannot and will not stop fighting for reform as long as the Senate remains a place where good legislation goes to die. The stakes are simply too high.

And as we recommit to this fight, we should recognize the tremendous effort by Democratic champions for filibuster reform, particularly Sens. Tom Udall, Jeff Merkley and Tom Harkin to put this issue on the table.

Tell Sens. Merkley, Udall and Harkin: Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform. Click here to automatically add your name to the petition.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6897&id=15715-2591629-a2G1Mzx&t=9

By all accounts, the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats supported the move known as the “Constitutional Option” to fix the filibuster and other Senate rules by majority vote. This would allow Democrats to change the rules with 51 votes.

However, the Constitutional Option was only available on the first “legislative day” of a new session of Congress (a technical term that does not correspond to a calendar day).

When the Senate adjourned on Tuesday night, the first legislative day ended, and the Democrats lost their only opportunity in this session of Congress to pass Senate rules reform with a simple majority vote. Any rules changes in this Congress now face a 2/3rds supermajority requirement to pass, and nothing significant will have the votes to overcome that threshold.

The inability of the Democrats to capitalize on this opportunity is a substantive failure for all of us who wanted to see Senate reform enacted any time soon. But even more than that, it demonstrates a monumental failure of leadership by the top Democrats in the Senate.

Democratic leaders like Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer have time and again blamed Republican filibusters for their inability to move the Democratic legislative agenda through the Senate.

This was a sentiment shared by their colleagues. Just a month ago, Democrats in the Senate were so fed up with the endless abuse of the filibuster by Republicans that every single returning senator in the Democratic caucus signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid about the need for rules reform.

However, a handful of reluctant Democrats (we’ve been told as few as six or seven) were unwilling to support the Constitutional Option. And Democratic leadership decided it would rather negotiate with Republicans than bring the caucus into line.

Nominally, these holdout Democrats were worried about setting a precedent for the Republicans — under the false notion that not taking action when they had the chance would make Republicans hesitant to change the rules to their own advantage when they eventually regain the majority.

In essence, these weak-kneed Democrats were willing to forfeit any chance at governance in the next two years, including giving up a reasonable chance to address the crisis in the judiciary and end the Republicans hostage-taking approach to judicial appointments. And all in the hopes that when the Republicans take power they will play nice.

The Democratic leadership faced a choice — they could whip the votes for the Constitutional Option and undercut the ability of the Republican minority to abuse the rules, or they could accept the decision by a fraction of their members to give the Republicans what is in effect a veto over the Democratic agenda. I think you know what they chose.

When push came to shove, rather than address the issue of filibuster reform head on, the Democratic leadership forfeited their ability to stop the abuses.

We now face a long-term effort to fix the Senate. Without buy-in from the leadership of the Democratic caucus, we’ll continue to need rank and file Democrats like Sens. Udall, Merkley and Harkin to join us in this fight.

And as they continue fighting, they need to know we support them.

Tell Sens. Merkley, Udall and Harkin: Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform. Click here to automatically add your name to the petition.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6897&id=15715-2591629-a2G1Mzx&t=10

Thank you for standing up for real filibuster reform.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager

CREDO Action from Working

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lame duck Session 12/21 -debates,UPDATES &major votes -updates when needed


Senate Convenes: 9:30amET December 21, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, Senator Alexander will be recognized to speak for up to 10 minutes in morning business. Following his remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur with respect to H.R.3082, which is the legislative vehicle for the Continuing Resolution (CR through March 4, 2011). At approximately 10:15am, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR3082, with an amendment (CR).

Following the cloture vote on the CR, Senator Specter will deliver his farewell remarks to the Senate.

If cloture is invoked on the CR, there would be up to 30 hours for debate. We hope that some of the time will be yielded back. Upon disposition of the CR, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the START Treaty. Senators will be notified when that vote is scheduled.

The Senate is considering the START Treaty post-cloture.

Votes:
288: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3082, with amendment #4885: , (Continuing Resolution through March 4, 2011)
Invoked: 82-14.

289: Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3082, with an amendment (CR through March 4, 2011);
Agreed To: 79-16

290: Confirmation of Benita Y. Pearson, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio;
Confirmed: 56-39

291: Confirmation of William Joseph Martinez, of Colorado, to be U.S. District Judge for the district of Colorado;
Confirmed: 58-37

292: Cloture on the New START Treaty;
Invoked: 67-28.

293: Ensign #4855 (rail mobile missiles);
Not Agreed To: 32-63

294: Kerry motion to table Risch #4878 (military equipment);
Tabled: 61-32.

295: Wicker amendment #4895: (Bilateral Consultative Commission);
Not Agreed To: 34-59

296: Now Voting on Kyl amendment #4860: (sea launched missiles)

Next vote in relationto Kyl amendment #4893: (telemetry)

Unanimous Consent:
Passed H.R.3481, a bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Federal responsibility for stormwater pollution (with Cardin amendment).

Passed H.R.5470, a bill to to exclude an external power supply for certain security or life safety alarms and surveillance system components from the application of certain energy efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

Passed H.R.4445, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act

Passed S.3903, a bill to authorize leases of up to 99 years for lands held in trust for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:58 P.M. –

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

7:50 P.M. –

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

7:49 P.M. –

UNITED STATES-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION – Pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001,(22 U.S.C. 7002) as amended, the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Larry Wortzel to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, effective January 1, 2011 .

7:48 P.M. –

INDIAN LAW AND ORDER COMMISSION – Pursuant to Section 235 of the Tribal Law and Order Act (P.L. 111-211), the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Thomas Gede of San Francisco, California to the Indian Law and Order Commission .

7:47 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON KEY NATIONAL INDICATORS – Pursuant to Sec. 5605 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Marcus Peacock of Washington, DC and Mr. Thomas J. Philipson of Chicago, IL to the Commission on Key National Indicators .

7:46 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Donna F. Edwards to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the remainder of the 2nd session of the 111th Congress.

7:45 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 6547:

to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees

7:44 P.M. –

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

7:43 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 314 – 20 (Roll no. 663).

7:35 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

H.R. 3082:

making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

7:34 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 193 – 165 (Roll no. 662).

7:06 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

6:07 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3082.

6:06 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1782, the Chair recognized Mr. Obey for a motion.

H. Res. 1782:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 3082) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

6:05 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

5:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1782

Considered as privileged matter.

S. 2925:

to establish a grant program to benefit victims of sex trafficking, and for other purposes

5:41 P.M. –

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

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

4:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2925.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

4:56 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

4:55 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1782.

S. 3592:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the “First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building”

4:54 P.M. –

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

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

Considered as unfinished business.

S. 3243:

to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to administer polygraph examinations to all applicants for law enforcement positions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to complete all periodic background reinvestigations of certain law enforcement personnel, and for other purposes

4:53 P.M. –

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

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

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2751:

to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles

4:49 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 – 144 (Roll no. 661).

4:42 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2142:

to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council

4:41 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 – 139 (Roll no. 660).

4:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

4:31 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 130 (Roll no. 659).

4:04 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

4:03 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116, H.R. 2142, and H.R. 2751, and motions to suspend the rules, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 2751:

to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2751, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of the House of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2751.

Mr. Dingell moved that the House agree to the Senate amendments.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Dingell for a motion.

H.R. 2142:

to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council

3:20 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of the House of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House continued with further debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3082, with an amendment.

H.R. 2142:

to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council

3:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142.

3:01 P.M. –

Mr. Cuellar moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Cuellar for a motion.

3:00 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Cuellar asked unanimous consent that the Speaker may postpone further proceedings on the following measures as though under clause 8(a)(1)(A) of rule XX: motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2142 and motion to agree to Senate amendment to H.R. 2751. Agreed to without objection.

2:59 P.M. –

Commission on Key National Indicators – Pursuant to section 5606 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair appointed Dr. Stephen Heintz, New York, NY and Dr. Martha Tienda, Princeton, NJ .

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics – Pursuant to section 306(k) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242k) and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair appointed Dr. Vickie M. Mays, Los Angeles, CA for a term of 4 years .

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

2:57 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

2:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House continued with further debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3481.

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

1:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116.

1:39 P.M. –

Mr. Gordon (TN) moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Gordon (TN) for a motion.

H. Res. 1781:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 5116) to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 2751) to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles; and providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 2142) to require quarterly performance assessments of Government programs for purposes of assessing agency performance and improvement, and to establish agency performance improvement officers and the Performance Improvement Council

1:37 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:09 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1781

1:08 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 6540:

to require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess

1:06 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 325 – 23 (Roll no. 658).

1:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:59 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1771:

waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 199 – 151 (Roll no. 657).

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

12:30 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1771

Considered as privileged matter.

12:16 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1781.

H.R. 1746:

to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the pre-disaster mitigation program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

12:15 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

12:05 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1746.

Ms. Norton moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

H.R. 4748:

to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes

12:03 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

11:55 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4748.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

S. 3243:

to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to administer polygraph examinations to all applicants for law enforcement positions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to complete all periodic background reinvestigations of certain law enforcement personnel, and for other purposes

11:54 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

11:43 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3243.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 1481:

to amend section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for persons with disabilities

11:42 A.M. –

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

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

11:26 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1481.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Murphy (CT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 118:

to amend section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959, to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for the elderly, and for other purposes

11:25 A.M. –

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

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

11:12 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 118.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6547:

to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees

11:11 A.M. –

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

11:04 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6547.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Miller, George moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6540:

to require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess

11:03 A.M. –

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

10:41 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6540.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Inslee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5809:

to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for take-back disposal of controlled substances in certain instances, and for other purposes

10:40 A.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

10:25 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 5809.

Mr. Waxman moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.

H.R. 81:

to amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve the conservation of sharks

10:23 A.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:19 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 81.

Ms. Bordallo moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

10:18 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until the conclusion of general debate on all suspensions.

10:17 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 20, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2751, with amendments.

10:16 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 20, 2010 at 9:49 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 118, H.R. 4915 with amendments, H.R. 6510, H.R. 6473, H.R. 6533, and H.Con.Res. 335.

10:15 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2010 at 3:54 p.m.: That the Senate concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2965.

10:14 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.J.Res. 105.

10:12 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

10:11 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 81 amended, H.R. 6412, H.R. 4748 amended, and H.R. 1746 amended.

10:04 A.M. –

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

10:03 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:02 A.M. –

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

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Black History

only 5 more days til Xmas …Congress is in Session this week


Senate Convenes: 10:00amET December 20, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive session and resume consideration of the New START Treaty.The Senate will recess at 1:30pm and reconvene in closed session at 2:00pm in the Old Senate Chamber. 

Following the closed session, the Senate will reconvene in open session in the Senate chamber.

Senators with amendments to the START Treaty are encouraged to come to the floor to offer and debate their amendments.

Roll call votes are expected to occur throughout the day.

The following amendments are pending to the START Treaty.:

– Corker amendment to the resolution #4904, as modified, (Missile Defense)
Votes:
285: Inhofe #4833 (inspections);
Not Agreed to: 33-64 

286: Thune #4831 (delivery vehicles);
Not Agreed To: 33-64

287: LeMieux amendment #4847: (tactical stockpiles);
Not Agreed To: 35-62.
Unanimous Consent:
Passed HR81, Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (with Kerry-Snowe amendment, International Fisheries)


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The next meeting in the House is Tuesday at 10:00amET on  December 21, 2010