• Today‘s Reminder  …On 2/28/2012

• The Senate has reached an agreement that it be in order for the Blunt amendment #1520 (contraception) to be called up. Further, at a time to be determined on Thursday, March 1, the Senate will proceed to a vote in relation to the Blunt amendment. No other amendments are in order prior to the vote in relation to the Blunt amendment.The Blunt amendment is now pending.
  
• Please tweet email call Senator Roy Blunt …Tell him to Stop using Women’s Health Care Rights as a political football
• Today – On this Leap Day
• the Senate Convened at  9:30amET February 29, 2012

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
• Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill.

WRAP UP FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res. 382, designating March 2, 2012, as “Read Across America Day”.

Adopted S.Res. 383, designating February 29, 2012, as “Rare Disease Day”.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION.

-The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 1, 2012.9:02:10 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.9:02:00 P.M. -Mr. Gardner moved that the House do now adjourn.8:10:51 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.8:08:19 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.8:07:26 P.M. -Board of Visitors of the United States Military Academy – Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4355(a), Clause 10 of Rule 1 and the order of the House of January 5, 2011 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Board of Visitors of the United States Military Academy: Mr. Hinchey(NY) and Ms. Loretta Sanchez(CA).8:06:47 P.M. -H. Res. 556At 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.7:46:18 P.M. -Pursuant to clause 8, Rule XX, the Speaker postponed until a time to be announced, the roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1134 and the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 556, as amended, which were ordered on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.7:43:20 P.M. -H. Res. 556DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 556.7:43:19 P.M. -H. Res. 556Considered under suspension of the rules.7:43:02 P.M. -H. Res. 556Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Res. 556 — “Condemning the Government of Iran for its continued persecution, imprisonment, and sentencing of Youcef Nadarkhani on the charge of apostasy.”7:42:32 P.M. -H.R. 3902Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:42:16 P.M. -H.R. 3902On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.7:33:05 P.M. -H.R. 3902DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3902.7:33:04 P.M. -H.R. 3902Considered under suspension of the rules.7:33:00 P.M. -H.R. 3902Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3902 — “To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to revise the timing of special elections for local office in the District of Columbia.”7:32:30 P.M. -S. 1134At 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.6:39:46 P.M. -S. 1134DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1134.6:39:45 P.M. -S. 1134Considered under suspension of the rules.6:39:34 P.M. -S. 1134Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1134 — “To authorize the St. Croix River Crossing Project with appropriate mitigation measures to promote river values.”6:38:24 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.6:35:19 P.M. -H.R. 1837Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:35:19 P.M. -H.R. 1837On passage Passed by recorded vote: 246 – 175, 1 Present (Roll no. 91).6:28:48 P.M. -H.R. 1837On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 248 (Roll no. 90).6:12:40 P.M. -H.R. 1837The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.6:01:22 P.M. -H.R. 1837Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a section titled Protecting the Constitution and States’ Rights.6:01:06 P.M. -H.R. 1837Mr. Garamendi moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.6:00:07 P.M. -H.R. 1837The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.6:00:01 P.M. -H.R. 1837The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.5:59:10 P.M. -H.R. 1837The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1837.5:58:47 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the Markey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 244 (Roll no. 89).5:54:18 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 247 (Roll no. 88).5:50:46 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the Napolitano amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 250 (Roll no. 87).5:46:45 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 243 (Roll no. 86).5:43:27 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the McNerney amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 177 – 243 (Roll no. 85).5:39:50 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the McNerney amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 242 (Roll no. 84).5:36:01 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the Thompson (CA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 239 (Roll no. 83).5:10:15 P.M. -H.R. 1837UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.5:09:29 P.M. -H.R. 1837The Chair announced that it understood that amendment No. 9 offered by Mr. Garamendi, made in order by the provisions of H. Res. 566, would not be offered.5:08:57 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:55:48 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment No. 8.4:55:45 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey,  numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-405 to replace provisions in H.R. 1837 that override state law with a provision upholding state law and requiring use of the best available science.4:54:03 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garamendi amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garamendi demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:44:39 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi amendment No. 7.4:44:36 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi,  numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-405 to remove provisions of the bill that seek to decrease the current supply of water to the Delta region.4:43:04 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Napolitano amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Napolitano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:31:50 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Napolitano amendment No. 6.4:31:48 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mrs. Napolitano,  numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-405 to create a revenue stream through the elimination of a subsidy that allowed irrigators to repay project debt with no interest.4:30:21 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garamendi amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garamendi demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:19:11 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi amendment No. 5.4:19:09 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi,  numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-405 to remove provisions of the bill that seek to privatize a public resource and restore the Secretary of the Interior’s discretion over water contract renewals.4:18:36 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McNerney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McNerney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:07:21 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney amendment No. 4.4:07:18 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. McNerney,  numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-405 to prevent several provisions of the Act from taking effect until it is determined that it will not harm water quality or water availability for agricultural producers in California’s Delta region (Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo Counties).4:06:48 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McNerney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McNerney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.3:55:16 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney amendment No. 3.3:55:13 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. McNerney,  numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-405 to prevent several provisions of the Act from taking effect until it is determined that it will not harm the quality or safety of drinking water supplies for residents of California’s Delta region (Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo Counties).3:54:38 P.M. -H.R. 1837POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Thompson (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.3:42:40 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (CA) amendment No. 2.3:42:34 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. Thompson (CA),  numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-405 to prevent several provisions of this Act from going into effect if any agriculture, agriculture-related, fishery, or fishery-related job is lost North of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.3:42:21 P.M. -H.R. 1837On agreeing to the McClintock amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:33:57 P.M. -H.R. 1837DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 566, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McClintock amendment No. 1.3:33:26 P.M. -H.R. 1837An amendment, offered by Mr. McClintock,  numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-405 to make several technical and clarifying changes to the bill.2:22:57 P.M. -H.R. 1837GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1837.2:22:32 P.M. -H.R. 1837The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Chairman of the Committee.2:22:31 P.M. -H.R. 1837House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 566 and Rule XVIII.2:22:16 P.M. -H.R. 1837Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1837 with 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 considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order againist consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-15.2:22:11 P.M. -H.R. 1837Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 566. H.R. 1837 — “To address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin River, and for other purposes.”2:21:09 P.M. -Mr. Hastings (WA) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on March 1. Agreed to without objection.2:21:08 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 283 – 127, 2 Present (Roll no. 82).2:15:55 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the vote on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed from earlier in the day.2:14:07 P.M. -H. Res. 566 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:14:06 P.M. -H. Res. 566On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 245 – 173 (Roll no. 81).2:06:10 P.M. -H. Res. 566On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 178 (Roll no. 80).12:39:00 P.M. -H. Res. 566DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 566.12:36:53 P.M. -H. Res. 566Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 566 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1837) to address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin River, and for other purposes.”12:36:27 P.M. -H. Res. 562ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time through the legislative day of March 1, 2012, to consider in the House H. Res. 562; the resolution shall be considered as read; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution and preamble to adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their respective designees. Agreed to without objection.12:03:09 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.12:02:50 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Crawford to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:22 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Lance demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Lance objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.12:00:50 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Gerald Theriot, The American Legion, Schriever, Louisiana12:00:30 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 29.11:13:48 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:02:00 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.10:01:54 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:00 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.