Tag Archives: Senate

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate debates S.3240,Farm bill & 3.5yrs later, Judicial nominees


the Senate Convenes: 3:00pmET June 18, 2012

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #612, the nomination of Mary Geiger Lewis, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina; Confirmed: 64-27

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House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of June 18, 2012 Last Floor Action:
5:10:57 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

2:00:07 P.M.

   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:33 P.M.   The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:42 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:45 P.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:50 P.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Burgess to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:13 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:11:50 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 15, 2012 at 10:20 a.m.: That the Senate passed H. Con. Res. 128, without amendment.
2:12:41 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.
4:01:00 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 18.
4:02:02 P.M.   The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
4:02:14 P.M. H.R. 1556 Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1556 — “To amend the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to allow certain land to be used to generate income to provide funding for academic programs, and for other purposes.”
4:02:32 P.M. H.R. 1556 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:02:38 P.M. H.R. 1556 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1556.
4:06:47 P.M. H.R. 1556 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:06:50 P.M. H.R. 1556 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:07:00 P.M. H.R. 4027 Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4027 — “To clarify authority granted under the Act entitled “An Act to define the exterior boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in the State of Utah, and for other purposes”.”
4:07:19 P.M. H.R. 4027 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:07:22 P.M. H.R. 4027 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4027.
4:12:12 P.M. H.R. 4027 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:12:16 P.M. H.R. 4027 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:12:20 P.M. S. 404 Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 404 — “To modify a land grant patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior.”
4:12:37 P.M. S. 404 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:12:41 P.M. S. 404 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 404.
4:16:44 P.M. S. 404 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.
4:17:00 P.M. S. 684 Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 684 — “To provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Alta, Utah.”
4:17:09 P.M. S. 684 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:17:11 P.M. S. 684 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 684.
4:19:15 P.M. S. 684 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.
4:19:20 P.M. S. 997 Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 997 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend a water contract between the United States and the East Bench Irrigation District.”
4:19:35 P.M. S. 997 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:19:36 P.M. S. 997 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 997.
4:21:48 P.M. S. 997 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:21:53 P.M. S. 997 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:28:03 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 the proliferation of weapons-uasable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-113).
4:29:18 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 the accumulation of alarge volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-114).
4:35:05 P.M. H. Res. 683 Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 683 — “Expressing the regret of the House of Representatives for the passage of laws that adversely affected the Chinese in the United States, including the Chinese Exclusion Act.”
4:35:10 P.M. H. Res. 683 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:35:15 P.M. H. Res. 683 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 683.
4:57:12 P.M. H. Res. 683 On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
4:57:17 P.M. H. Res. 683 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:57:21 P.M. H.R. 3668 Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3668 — “To prevent trafficking in counterfeit drugs.”
4:57:36 P.M. H.R. 3668 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:57:37 P.M. H.R. 3668 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3668.
5:10:45 P.M. H.R. 3668 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:10:49 P.M. H.R. 3668 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:10:57 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

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Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – both Chambers back 6/18 – the Senate


the Senate Convenes at 3:00pmET June 18, 2012

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Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate considersS.3240,Farm bill -SNAP


the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 13, 2012

Senate Rejects Effort To Cut Food Stamp Program

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the next hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • At a time to be determined on Wednesday, Senators should expect 2 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments which are pending to S.3240, the Farm bill. Senators should expect the votes to be motions to table each of the amendments.

Senators should expect 2 roll call votes shortly (at approximately 12:00pm) on the following, in the following order:

12:02pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to table Reid amendment #2393, which is text of Shaheen amendment #2160 (Sugar); Tabled: 50-46

12:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to table Reid amendment #2392 (SNAP); Tabled: 65-33

The following amendments and motion are pending to S.3240, the Farm bill:

The following amendment have been considered to S.3240, the Farm bill:

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to consider the next 4 amendments to the Farm bill. Senator Coburn objected. The request can be found below. Senator Reid then offered the following amendments:

Reid amendment # 2406 which is the text of Coburn amendment #2353 (to eliminate certain working lands conservation programs); and

Reid amendment 2407 which is the text of DeMint amendment #2285 (convert all mandatory spending to discretionary spending)

Reid’s UC request that Senator Coburn objected to:

Leader: I ask unanimous consent that the pending motion to recommit be withdrawn; that amendment #2390 be withdrawn; that the Stabenow-Roberts amendment #2389 be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be considered original text for the purposes of further amendment; that the following four amendments be the first amendments in order to the bill with no other first degree amendments in order until these amendments are disposed of:

– Coburn #2353;

– Hagan #2366;

– DeMint #2285; and

– McCaskill #2222.

That there be up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, on each of the amendments; that upon the use or yielding back of time on all four amendments, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed; that there be no amendments or motions in order to the amendments prior to the votes other than motions to waive points of order and motions to table; that upon disposition of these amendments, the Majority Leader be recognized.

Senator Coburn objected.

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 The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2012.

Bills & Reports

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pelosi – House Dems and Congress in the Newsroom JUNE 2012


The Environment

Touring Seattle's biodiesel plant
Leader Pelosi touring Seattle Biodiesel’s manufacturing plant

Protecting the environment is vital to protect the health of all Americans, particularly our children. Democrats are fighting for cleaner air, cleaner water, and preservation of our natural resources, understanding that what we do today has an impact on future generations of Americans. We stand up for fair policies that protect America’s environment while allowing for economic opportunity—priorities that can work together.

Under Democratic leadership, the House took serious steps in the 110th and 111th Congresses to launch a clean energy economy that will create jobs, lower energy costs for American families and businesses, reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and reduce the carbon pollution causing climate change. Instead of building on this progress, House Republicans have been slashing investments in clean energy solutions and giving away tens of billions in tax breaks to Big Oil. They should join us in strengthening, not weakening our ability to ensure clean air and a healthier environment for our children.

Recent News & Actions

Pelosi Statement on Earth Day»

A Record that Speaks for Itself: GOP Votes to Support Big Oil»

Republican Energy Plan: Standing with Big Oil»

115 Members of Congress to Speaker Boehner: Reconsider Use of Styrofoam in House Facilities»

Legislation in the 112th Congress

Democratic Legislation – Make It in America: Clean Energy Jobs Now agenda»

H.R. 2021 – More Giveaways to Big Oil, Not Lower Gas Prices»

H.R. 1229 & H.R. 1231 – More Gifts To Big Oil, But No Relief for Taxpayers or Consumers»

H.R. 1230 – A Gift to Big Oil, But No Relief for Taxpayers or Consumers»

Upton-Inhofe Weaken Clean Air Act»

Legislation in the 111th Congress

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 — Historic legislation to launch a new clean energy economy—to create 1.7 million American jobs (with the Recovery Act); help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil by 5 million barrels per day; keep energy costs low for Americans, protects consumers from price increases with lower income families seeing no cost; with no increase to the deficit. Requires a reduction in the carbon pollution causing climate change from major U.S. sources of 17 percent by 2020 (the basis for America’s proposal going into the Copenhagen Climate Summit) and 80 percent by 2050, compared to 2005 levels. Invests in new clean energy and efficiency technologies. Passed House June 26, 2009.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 — Makes historic investments of more than $69 billion in clean energy: modernizing the electricity grid to make it more efficient and reliable; tax incentives to spur energy savings and create clean energy jobs; and a significant commitment to clean energy research, and to develop advanced battery technology. Estimated to create more than 700,000 jobs by 2012, nearly double renewable electricity over four years (instead of increasing only 6 percent), and save consumers up to $98 a year in energy costs. Signed into law on February 17, 2009.

Congressional Budget for FY 2010 — Provides for a 10% increase for investments in clean renewable energy, energy efficiency, research and technological development, and paves the way for fiscally responsible legislation to spur clean energy and energy independence. Passed by the House and Senate, April 29, 2009.

Legislation in the 110th Congress

Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007 — Landmark energy law to increase vehicle fuel efficiency for the first time in more than 3 decades, to 35 miles per gallon in 2020, projected to save $1,000 per vehicle each year; to expand the use of American-grown biofuels, and to combat oil market manipulation. Signed into law on December 19, 2007.

Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 — The Farm Bill made an historic commitment to American biofuels—which are keeping gas prices 15 percent lower than they otherwise would be due to fuel blending—and increased Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight authority to detect and prevent manipulation of energy prices. President Bush vetoed this bill, but Congress overrode that veto. It became law on June 18, 2008.

Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 — Legislation that extended and expanded tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel from America’s heartland, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances, is critical to creating and preserving more than 500,000 good-paying clean energy American jobs in the wind and solar industries alone. After President Bush threatened to veto these provisions several times, it was signed into law on October 3, 2008 as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.

Change Starts At Home

Democrats in the House took bold action to combat global warming and achieve energy independence, beginning right here in the Capitol. In 2007, House Democrats launched our “Green the Capitol” initiative—our commitment to reducing the Capitol’s carbon footprint by making our operations more energyefficient and to ensure our nation’s leaders remain responsible stewards of our environment.

Speaker Pelosi planting a tree
Pelosi planting a tree outside of the Capitol to commemorate Earth Day 2008

Today, the House has reduced its carbon footprint by 74 percent and converted our Capitol Power Plant from coal to clean natural gas. The Capitol—which serves as a beacon of freedom—is also now a shining example of sustainability.

Learn about the Greening the Capitol Initiative»

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House adjourned to witch hunt – the Senate considers S.3240 Farm bill, Judicial appts 3.5yrs later …


the Senate Convened 10:00amET June 12, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #607, Andrew Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit, post-cloture.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the first hour will be 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.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • By unanimous consent, all time during adjournment, recess and morning business will count post-cloture on the Hurwitz nomination.
  • We expect to yield back time and confirm the Hurwitz nomination during Tuesday’s session. We are also working on an agreement for amendments to S.3240, the Farm bill.

Prior to the caucus recess, Senator McCain asked unanimous consent to take up and adopt a resolution regarding the recent intelligence leaks. Senator Wyden objected to the request.

All post-cloture debate time was yielded back and by voice vote the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of Andrew Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit.

The Senate then adopted the motion to proceed to S.3240, the Farm Bill. We will be in a period of debate only until 4pm.

The period for debate only on the Farm bill has been extended until 5:30pm today. In the meantime, the managers of the bill are working on an agreement to consider several amendments to the bill.

Senator Reid asked the following unanimous consent to consider several amendments and a motion to the Farm bill and Senator Paul objected. (See Paul’s remarks on ending aid to Pakistan and Senator Reid’s remarks on the Farm bill below)

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to call up and agree to a Stabenow-Roberts perfecting amendment #2389 (Managers’ amendment) and that the bill, as amended, be considered original text for the purpose of further amendment. That the amendments and motion listed below be the first in order to the bill, with 60 minutes for debate equally divided on each amendment. That upon the use or yielding back of all time, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the amendments and motion.

– Paul amendment #2182 (SNAP);

– Shaheen amendment #2160 (Sugar);

– Coburn amendment #2353 (elimination of certain working land conservation programs ;

– Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse crop products) and

– Lee Motion to Recommit the bill, S.3240, to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry with instructions to report the same back to the Senate with a reduction in spending to 2008 levels so that overall spending shall not exceed $604,840,000,000.

Further, no amendments or motions are in order to the amendments or the Lee motion prior to the votes other than motions to waive points of order and motions to table. Upon disposition of the Lee motion, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

As noted earlier, Senator Paul objected to this request.

Senator Reid then called up Stabenow-Roberts amendment #2389 (Managers’ amendment) and a second degree amendment #2390 (date change).

He then moved to recommit the bill with instructions to report back forthwith amendment #2391 and offered amendments to the instructions in the first and second degree amendment slots. Those amendments are as follows:

– Reid amendment #2392, which is text of Paul amendment #2182 (SNAP) and

– Reid amendment #2393 which is text of Shaheen amendment #2160 (Sugar).

Finally, for procedural reasons he moved to proceed to S.1940, Flood Insurance extension. The Farm bill remains the pending business.

The following amendments and motion are pending to S.3240, the Farm bill:

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.491, commending the participants in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad and recognizing the importance of education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to the future of the United States.

Adopted S.Res.492, designating June 15, 2012, as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.436, an act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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 JUNE 12, 201210:00:16 A.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day…  Adjournm, After only 5minutes of Work
10:02:34 A.M.   The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:03:44 A.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alan Keiran, Office of the United States Senate Chaplain.
10:04:45 A.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:04:58 A.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:05:33 A.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2012.