Tag Archives: Senate

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Congress: the Republican led House pro-forma the Senate


The Senate will meet on the following dates and times for pro-forma sessions only with no business conducted:

– Friday, August 5th at 10:00am,

– Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00am,

– Friday, August 12th at 12:00pm,

– Tuesday, August 16th at 11:00am,

– Friday, August 19th at 10:00am,

– Tuesday, August 23rd at 2:30pm,

– Friday, August 26th at 11:15am,

– Tuesday, August 30th at 10:00am,

– Friday, September 2nd at 10:00am;

When the Senate convenes at 10:00am on Friday, September 2nd, it will adjourn until 2:00pm on September 6, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will be in Executive Session to consider Calendar #109, Bernice Bouie Donald, of Tennessee, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 6th Circuit with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley.

The next roll call votes will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 6th. The first roll call vote will be on confirmation of the Donald nomination. The 2nd will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.1249, the Patent Reform bill.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 5, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

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

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

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do Republicans want to shutdown the Gov’t again ?… repost

1 Comment

 last time it cost Americans 800million & furloughed over a million workers,delayed veterans benefits,shut down federally funded research,suspended certain law enforcement activities,among other things.

 

Right-wing “cannot wait” for gov’t shutdown, “just like in ’95 and ’96”

http://mediamatters.org/research/201008310020

The right-wing media is “giddy” over the possibility of winning a Republican majority in Congress in order to shut down the government. The shutdowns cost the government at least $800 million, furloughed over a million workers, delayed veterans benefits, shut down federally funded research, and suspended certain law enforcement activities, among other things.

The 1995-1996 gov’t shutdowns had massive impact on public and cost the government at least $800 million

Federal government shutdowns occur when Congress cannot agree to pass a federal budget. According to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, Federal government shutdowns occur for the following reasons:

Shutdowns of the federal government have occurred in the past due to failures to pass regular appropriations bills by the October 1 deadline; lack of an agreement on stopgap funding for federal government operations through a continuing resolution; and other impasses, for example, in 1995, the lack of an agreement on lifting the federal debt ceiling.

Then-speaker Gingrich was criticized for orchestrating two government shutdowns in FY 1996, which cost the government at least $800 million. Between November 1995 and January 1996, two federal government shutdowns occurred. As Time reported:

As the clocks struck midnight on Nov. 14, 1995, so began the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. For 21 days — from Nov. 14-19 and again from Dec. 16, 1995-Jan. 6, 1996 — nonessential government employees stayed home while their leaders fought to pass a federal budget. The shutdown was sparked when an agreement between President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress (led by then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich) could not be reached by Sept. 30, the expiration date of the previous year’s budget. In the end, the shutdown, which cost the government $800 million in losses for salaries paid to furloughed employees, was settled when Clinton submitted a budget that proposed to eliminate the federal deficit in seven years.

Delay: Gingrich “told a room full of reporters that he forced the shutdown because Clinton had rudely made him…sit at the back of Air Force One.” In his book No Retreat, No Surrender: One American’s Fight, Tom Delay, who was the Republican House Whip at the time of the shutdown, wrote:

Negotiations spiraled downward, and after Clinton vetoed a stopgap spending bill, funding for government services ran out, and a shutdown began on November 13, 1995. Not long after, Gingrich made the mistake of his life. He told a room full of reporters that he forced the shutdown because Clinton had rudely made him and Bob Dole sit at the back of Air Force One and exit from the rear on a flight to the funeral of assassinated Israeli prime minister [sic] Yitzak Rabin. It was pitiful. The New York Daily News carried the headline “Cry Baby” above a drawing of Newt as a screaming baby in diapers. The Democrats even tried to take a blowup of the cover onto the floor of the House.

The Hill also reported that Gingrich orchestrated the shutdown after President Bill Clinton made him and Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) sit at the back of Air Force One on a trip:

Gingrich received heavy criticism for helping to engineer the shutdown after it was reported he said that it was partially a result of Clinton’s making former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) and him sit at the back of Air Force One.

Over 1 million federal employees were furloughed. According to the CRS report, over 1 million federal employees were furloughed as a result of the 1995-1996 government shutdown:

The most recent shutdowns occurred in FY1996. There were two during the early part of the fiscal year. The first, November 14-19, 1995, resulted in the furlough of an estimated 800,000 federal employees. It was caused by the expiration of a continuing funding resolution (P.L. 104-31) agreed to on September 30, 1995, and by President Clinton’s veto of a second continuing resolution and a debt limit extension bill.

The second FY1996 partial shutdown of the federal government, and the longest in history, began on December 16, 1995, and ended on January 6, 1996, after the White House and Congress agreed on a new resolution (P.L. 104-94) to fund the government through January 26, 1996. On January 2, 1996, the estimate of furloughed federal employees was 284,000.8 Another 475,000 federal employees, rated “essential,” continued to work in a non-pay status. The shutdown was triggered by the expiration of a continuing funding resolution enacted on November 20 (P.L. 104-56), which funded the government through December 15, 1995. There were several short-term continuing resolutions between January 6, 1996, and April 26, 1996, when P.L. 104-134 was enacted to fund any agencies or programs not yet funded through FY1996.

Time: Shutdown “cost the government $800 million in losses for salaries paid to furloughed employees.” Time reported that the “the shutdown was sparked when an agreement between President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress (led by then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich) could not be reached by Sept. 30, the expiration date of the previous year’s budget. In the end, the shutdown, which cost the government $800 million in losses for salaries paid to furloughed employees, was settled when Clinton submitted a budget that proposed to eliminate the federal deficit in seven years.”

American veterans received “major curtailment in services,” including health services. The CRS reported that American veterans received “[m]ajor curtailment in services, ranging from health and welfare to finance and travel.”

Health research, toxic waste clean-up were shut down. The CRS reported that, according to “congressional hearings, press and agency accounts,” new patients were not admitted to NIH:

New patients were not accepted into clinical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ceased disease surveillance (information about the spread of diseases, such as AIDS and flu, were unavailable); hotline calls to NIH concerning diseases were not answered; and toxic waste clean-up work at 609 sites stopped, resulting in 2,400 “Superfund” workers being sent home.

Hiring of 400 border patrol agents was suspended. The CRS report showed that law enforcement services were suspended, including hiring 400 border patrol agents.

Delays occurred in the processing of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives applications by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; work on more than 3,500 bankruptcy cases was suspended; cancellation of the recruitment and testing of federal law-enforcement officials occurred, including the hiring of 400 border patrol agents; and delinquent child-support cases were suspended.

200,000 U.S. visa/passport applications went unprocessed; tourist industries suffered millions of dollars in losses. The CRS reported that:

20,000-30,000 applications by foreigners for visas went unprocessed each day; 200,000 U.S. applications for passports went unprocessed; and U.S. tourist industries and airlines sustained millions of dollars in losses.

Parks/Museums/Monuments closed costing $14.2 million per day in tourism revenue. The CRS reported an estimated loss of $14.2 million per day in local communities near the national parks, museums, and monuments due to the shutdown:

Closure of 368 National Park Service sites (loss of 7 million visitors) occurred, with local communities near national parks losing an estimated $14.2 million per day in tourism revenues; and closure of national museums and monuments (estimated loss of 2 million visitors) occurred.

Nonetheless, right-wing media “giddy” for a similar shutdown

Erickson: “I’m almost giddy thinking about a government shutdown next year. I cannot wait!” Via Twitter, Erick Erickson proclaimed:

Erickson tweet 1

In response to criticism over this statement, Erickson replied:

Erickson tweet 2

Morris: “There’s going to be a government shutdown just like in ’95 and ’96, but we’re going to win it this time.” On August 27, Fox News correspondent Dick Morris gave a speech at the Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s Defending the Dream Conference, saying: “There’s going to be a government shutdown just like in ’95 and ’96, but we’re going to win it this time.”

So, it’s going to be same time next year, guys and women. Same time next year. We’re going to be back here and we’re going to be pressuring the people who we helped elect to oppose big spending and we will be telling them you do not tread on us. Now, there’s going to be a government shutdown just like in ’95 and ’96, but we’re going to win it this time, and I’ll be fighting on your side.

Gingrich using his old 1995 game plan to shape new GOP strategy: Take back Congress, “refuse to fund,” and force Obama to respond. In April 13 article, The Hill reported on Gingrich’s comments encouraging the GOP to cause a government shutdown over health care reform:

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said Tuesday that a government shutdown could occur should Republicans attempt to strip funding for the new healthcare law next Congress.

[…]

“A simple majority can refuse to fund. So, if you have Boehner as speaker and Mitch McConnell as majority leader, all you have to do is not write into the appropriations bill the money,” Gingrich said at a breakfast sponsored by The American Spectator and Americans for Tax Reform. “If the president vetoes the appropriations bills, you repass them.

“The president has got to make it into a positive political issue to veto the appropriations bills. Remember, the only person who can close the government is the president. If you’re prepared to pass the appropriations bills, he has to decide to veto a bill you have passed. And so you simply pass a bill.”  

[…]

“You have to consistently communicate key messages because the presidency is such a powerful instrument,” he said. “I think this city has fundamentally misunderstood what happened with the shutdown. To most of the country, it became a signal that we were serious…If we win we have every right to say ‘the American people have spoken.”

Asked if he would encourage the Republicans to push for a shutdown, Gingrich said that the GOP needs to be ready to stand on principle.

“It’s especially important that they keep their word to the American people,” he told The Hill. “[They] can’t be intimidated…you have to believe what you believe in.”

Dave Weigel reported that Gingrich similarly encouraged Republicans to send Obama a budget which refused to fund health care reform, and see if Obama “decide[s]…he’s going to veto the bill” or not. From Wiegel’s April 13 report:

At a luncheon at the Heritage Foundation — his second meeting with conservative journalists and bloggers today — Newt Gingrich expanded a bit on his argument, made most recently at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, that a new Republican Congress could roll back the Democrats’ victory on health-care reform by refusing to fund it. I asked Gingrich how this would work, given the experience of Republicans in the winter of 1995 when a showdown over the budget forced a government shutdown.

“Wait a second,” said Gingrich. “This is the standard, elite, inside-the-Beltway worldview. Tell me in what way we didn’t win. After that, we got to a balanced budget. And what happened to the Republican majority?” The answer, of course, is that Republicans held the majority in 1996, while President Bill Clinton was reelected.

[…]

Gingrich, having argued that the 1995 shutdown was good for Republicans, argued that a potential battle over health care would be even better. “There’s a new poll out this morning,” said Gingrich, referring to a Rasmussen Reports study. “By 58 to 38, people want to repeal the health-care bill. It’ll get worse as people learn more and as the failure of the bill becomes more obvious. So if you take that model, all the Republican Congress needs to say in January is, ‘We won’t fund it.’ What the president needs to decide is: He’s going to veto the bill. He needs to force a crisis on an issue that’s a 58 to 38 issue. And it’s going to get worse. It’ll be 2 to 1 or better by the time we get down to the fight. Because this bill is terrible.”

I followed up with Gingrich after the speech, largely to clarify how Clinton’s reelection figured into this recollection of the shutdown. According to Gingrich, Clinton simply over-matched the Republicans in 1996 and skillfully made the speaker of the House his target. The ability of Republicans to hold onto Congress was impressiveness nonetheless. “I always look back on the budget fight as the moment our base decided we were real, that we weren’t just politicians,” said Gingrich. “I believe — and John Kasich and Bob Livingston agree with me — if we had backed off, we never would have gotten to a balanced budget.”

   
 
 

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Congress: the Republican led House -pro forma session -the Senate debates&votes today/Republicans filibuster majority vote


  •  The Senate Convenes at 12:00pmET July 31, 2011
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.627 with the Reid amendment with the time until 1:00pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At approximately 1:00pm, the Senate conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.627 with the Reid amendment at 1:00PM (tomorrow afternoon) on Sunday, July 31, 2011.

1:00 pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to S.627 with the Reid amendment #589, the legislative vehicle for the debt limit increase; Not Invoked: 50-49 (Senator Reid changed his vote to no in order to enter a motion to reconsider this vote)

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 31, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

1:37 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn consistent with the fourth clause in section 5 of article 1 of the Constitution, and notwithstanding section 132 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 1, 2011.

1:36 P.M. – Mr. Sensenbrenner asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Sunday, July 31, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 1, 2011, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 31.

1:02 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

1:01 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sensenbrenner to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

1:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Congress: debates & votes on raising the debt ceiling -through the weekend?


The Senate Convenes: 1:00pmET July 30, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.627, the legislative vehicle for the debt limit increase.
  • The time from 1:30pm until 7:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority and the Republicans controlling alternating 30-minute blocks of time with the Majority controlling the first block. Additionally, the time from 7:30pm until 8:00pm will be equally divided and controlled with the Republicans controlling the first 15 minutes and the Majority controlling the final 15 minutes.
  • As a reminder to all Senators, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.627 with the Reid amendment #589.
  • The Senate is now expecting a live quorum and a motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the attendance of absent Senators around 5:30pm.
  • 5:339pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant At Arms to request the presence of absent Senators; Agreed to: 75-20

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 30, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

3:16 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on July 31, 2011.On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.

H.R. 2062:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Meetinghouse Lane in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, as the “Matthew A. Pucino Post Office” 

3:14 P.M. – On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2693:
to cut spending, maintain existing commitments, and for other purposes 

3:12 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 Failed by recorded vote (2/3 required): 173 – 246(Roll no. 682).

1:43 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2693.

1:42 P.M. – Considered under suspension of the rules.

1:41 P.M. – Mr. Dreier moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

1:39 P.M. – On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 298 – 113, 2 Present(Roll no. 681).

H.R. 1843:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 489 Army Drive in Barrigada, Guam, as the “John Pangelinan Gerber Post Office Building” 

1:32 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): 414 – 3(Roll no. 680).

1:26 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1975:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 281 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, as the “First Lieutenant Oliver Goodall Post Office Building” 

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0(Roll no. 679).

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

1:00 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.

12:33 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

12:04 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 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Paulsen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Connolly 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. Connolly demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Black History

it’s Wednesday -Congress meets


The Senate Convened at 9:30amET July 27, 2011

  • The Senate will convene at 9:30am on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time 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.
  • Morning business has been extended until 2pm.

VOTES

4:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Robert Mueller to be Director of the FBI; confirmed: 100-0

By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed Gary Locke, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of China.

Senator Rockefeller asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2533 with a Rockefeller-Hutchison amendment, which is at the desk and is a clean extension of the Federal Aviation Administration. Senator Hatch objected to Senator Rockefeller’s request.

Senator Hatch then asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2533, as passed by the House, which includes policy riders. Senator Rockefeller objected to Senator Hatch’s request.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 6:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Coburn will be recognized at 5:30pm for up to 30 minutes and Senator Boxer will be recognized following Senator Coburn for up to 20 minutes

WRAP UP

Confirmed Executive Calendar #194, Gary Locke, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of China.

Confirmed Executive Calendar #196, William J. Burns to be Deputy Secretary of State

Discharged Homeland Security and Passed S.1188, a bill to require the purchase of domestically made flags of the United States of American for use by the Federal Government (All American Flag Act) w/ Brown (OH) substitute

Adopted S.Res.240, condemning the horrific attacks on government buildings in Oslo, Norway, and a youth camp on Utoya Island, Norway, on July 22, 2011 and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Con.Res.26, supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of the year of 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent.

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  CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 27, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

H.R. 2584:
making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

9:57 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

9:56 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Walberg amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:16 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

9:15 P.M. – Mr. Dreier filed a report from the Committee on Rules onH. Res. 375.

H.R. 2584:
making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

9:14 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leavingH.R. 2584as unfinished business.On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Simpson moved that the Committee rise.

8:55 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Walberg amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Walberg.

An amendment to reduce funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, grants and administration by $10,600,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

8:53 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:39 P.M. – DEBATE – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to decrease Smithsonian salaries and expenses by $55,624,000 and transfer the funds to the spending reduction account.

8:38 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lankford amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lankford demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:19 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lankford amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Lankford.

An amendment to eliminate funding for reception and representation expenses for the Council on Environmental Quality. The amendment transfers the funds, $3 million, to the spending reduction account.

8:14 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:06 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.

An amendment to increase the National Forest System/Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program by $10 million.

On agreeing to the Hanabusa amendment Failed by voice vote.

7:59 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hanabusa amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Hanabusa.

An amendment to redirect $50,000,000 from the state and private forestry to the Wildland Fire Management program.

On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

7:58 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 18 under the five-minute rule.

7:57 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment to decrease FS State and Private Forestry by $20.8 million.

7:53 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lankford amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lankford demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:49 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lankford amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Lankford.

An amendment to strike “not less that 30 percent” and insert “30 percent or less”.

7:47 P.M. – Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Bishop (NY) amendment stating that the provisions of the amendment proposes a net increase of the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

7:41 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bishop (NY) amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Mr. Bishop (NY).

An amendment to increase funds for the State and Tribal Assistance Grants program.

7:17 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richardson amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Simpson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:12 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment to increase funding for state pollution control and prevention grants by $5 million. The increase is offset by reducing funding for Capitol Improvement and Maintenance fund by the same amount.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Blackburn amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Blackburn demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:57 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blackburn amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mrs. Blackburn.

An amendment to reduce the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account by $30 million an applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

6:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 662).

6:48 P.M. – On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 661).

6:42 P.M. – On agreeing to the LaTourette amendments Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 660).

6:35 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 659).

6:28 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 658).

6:04 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richardson amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Richardson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendments until a time to be announced.

5:56 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson amendment No. 23 under the five-minute rule.

5:55 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment numbered 23 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Buildings and Facilities account by $10 million and increase the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account by $10 million.

5:54 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pompeo amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pompeo demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendments until a time to be announced.

5:46 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pompeo amendment No. 39 under the five-minute rule.

5:44 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Pompeo.

An amendment numbered 39 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Environmental Programs and Management account by $6,246,000 and applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

5:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Fleming amendment Failed by voice vote.

5:33 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flemming amendment under the five-minute rule.

5:31 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Fleming.

An amendment to reduce the Environmental Programs and Management account by $48,206,000 and applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

5:03 P.M. – Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Johnson, E. B. amendment Mr. Simpson stated that the provisions appropriate funds for a program not authorized. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:00 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the E.B. Johnson(TX) amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Ms. Johnson, E. B..

An amendment that inserts “and fellowships” after development within the Science and Technology account.

4:58 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the LaTourette en bloc amendments, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. LaTourette demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendments until a time to be announced.

4:40 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaTourette En Bloc amendments under the five-minute rule.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. LaTourette.

An amendment comprised of several amendments offered en bloc: reduce the Science and Technology account by $20 million and increase the Environmental Programs and Management account by $13 million, increase the funding for the Geographic Programs by $50 million and increase the funding for the Great Lakes Initiative by $50 million.

4:38 P.M. – On agreeing to the Moran amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:04 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Moran amendment under the five-minute rule.

4:03 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Moran.

An amendment to strike the Wild Lands Funding Prohibition account from the bill.

4:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:34 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 121 of the bill.

3:33 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:23 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 120 from the bill.

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

3:02 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 119 from the bill.

3:01 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Failed by voice vote.

2:53 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 118 from the bill.

2:46 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Dicks amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:09 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Dicks amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Dicks.

An amendment to strike section 116 of the bill.

2:05 P.M. – On agreeing to the Scalise amendment as modified Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 657).

2:01 P.M. – On agreeing to the Reed amendment Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 656).

1:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dold amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 655).

1:52 P.M. – On agreeing to the Amash amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 654).

1:47 P.M. – On agreeing to the Tonko amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 653).

1:44 P.M. – On agreeing to the Dicks amendment Agreed to by recorded vote:(Roll No. 652).

1:39 P.M. – On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 651).

1:15 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 27.

1:12 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

H.R. 440:
to provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia 

1:11 P.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.

12:33 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 440.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

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

12:09 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

H.R. 1309:
to extend the authorization of the national flood insurance program, to achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and to increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes 

Senate returned papers to House.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passedS. 1406andS. 846. The Senate also agreed to return the papers ofH.R. 1309.

12:03 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 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sires to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Rick Postell, Christian Renewal Church, Brunswick, Georgia.

12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 27.

11:08 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR 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.The Speaker designated the Honorable Kenny Marchant to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

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