Tag Archives: Senate

The Senate stands in recess until 10:00am on Tuesday, July 16, 2013.

Senator-elect Markey will be sworn into office at 10:00am on Tuesday.
As a reminder to all Senators, during Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
We anticipate the first cloture vote to begin at 11:00am. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.

11:02am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of Ohio, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;

Invoked: 71-29

The Senate invoked cloture on the Cordray nomination by a vote of 71-29.

There will now be up to 8 hours for debate, with the time equally divided, prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. By consent, the Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. The time during the recess will count post-cloture. Senators will be notified when the next vote is scheduled.

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July 2013
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21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

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Last Floor Action:
10:03:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on
July 16, 2013.

12:00:08 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:26 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kerry L. Bentivolio to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:45 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:11:01 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:21 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 16.
2:00:41 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:55 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:22 P.M.		ADJUSTMENT OF THE WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Markey, the whole number of the House is 434.
2:02:31 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:25 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 July 16, 2013 at 1:25 p.m.: Appointments: World War I Centennial Commission.
2:10:50 P.M.		HIT Policy Committee – Pursuant to section 13101 of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act (Public Law 111-5), the Democratic Leader reappointed Mr. Paul Egerman of Weston, Massachusetts for a term of three years.
2:11:35 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
5:00:20 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 16.
5:01:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:03:10 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1848 — “To ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration advances the safety of small airplanes, and the continued development of the general aviation industry, and for other purposes.”
5:03:16 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:03:18 P.M.	H.R. 1848	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1848.

5:19:56 P.M.	H.R. 1848	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.
5:20:07 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2611 — “To designate the headquarters building of the Coast Guard on the campus located at 2701 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue Southeast in the District of Columbia as the “Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building”, and for other purposes.”
5:20:37 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:20:39 P.M.	H.R. 2611	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2611.
5:28:31 P.M.	H.R. 2611	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.
5:28:43 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2576 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify requirements relating to the availability of pipeline safety regulatory documents, and for other purposes.”
5:28:58 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:28:59 P.M.	H.R. 2576	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2576.
5:36:59 P.M.	H.R. 2576	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.
5:37:34 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today.

6:30:10 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 16.
6:30:14 P.M.		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.
6:31:15 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2576 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify requirements relating to the availability of pipeline safety regulatory documents, and for other purposes.”
6:59:52 P.M.	H.R. 2576	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 – 2 (Roll no. 354).
6:59:52 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:00:09 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1848 — “To ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration advances the safety of small airplanes, and the continued development of the general aviation industry, and for other purposes.”
7:07:31 P.M.	H.R. 1848	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 355).
7:07:32 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:08:03 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2611 — “To designate the headquarters building of the Coast Guard on the campus located at 2701 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue Southeast in the District of Columbia as the “Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building”, and for other purposes.”
7:16:01 P.M.	H.R. 2611	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 356).
7:16:05 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:18:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:31:45 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:11:11 P.M.		Mr. Burgess filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 300.
8:12:36 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the Senate considers S.1238 CONGRESS the House HR2289

07/15/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 15, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Majority Leader will be recognized at 5:30pm. A live quorum and subsequent roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators is expected at 5:30pm.
Additionally, there will be a joint-special caucus for all Senators at 6:00pm on Monday.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
If no agreement on the nominations can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur early Tuesday morning. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTE1) Motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators; Agreed to: 69-28; Quorum was present
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.195, a resolution to authorize testimony and representation In the Matter of the Proposed Discipline of Laura Block Lower

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
5:39pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent senators.Motion is agreed to: 69-28; Quorum is present

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July 2013
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28	29	30	31

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Last Floor Action:
10:03:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on
July 16, 2013.

10:00:10 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:42 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:01:59 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:04 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:36 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 2289 and agreed to H. Con. Res. 43.
10:03:22 A.M.		The House received a communication from The Honorable Edward J. Markey. Mr. Markey notified the House that he will resign his seat in the United States House of Representatives in order to serve in the United States Senate as a Senator from Massachusetts. His resignation from the United States House of Representatives is effective at the close of business on Monday, July 15, 2013.
10:03:41 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 16, 2013.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS breaks until 7/15

07/12/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 15, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Majority Leader will be recognized at 5:30pm. A live quorum and subsequent roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators is expected at 5:30pm.
Additionally, there will be a joint-special caucus for all Senators at 6:00pm on Monday.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
If no agreement on the nominations can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur early Tuesday morning. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.

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July 2013
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	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
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21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

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9:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:39 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark Meadows to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:01 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Binion II, Westside Church of God, Fresno, California.
9:03:08 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) 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. Thompson (PA) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
9:03:20 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wittman to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:05:44 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:19:35 A.M.		Ms. Sewell (AL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:47:08 A.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 125 – 260 (Roll no. 346).
9:47:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 295 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2642) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
9:48:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:26 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate to H.R. 588, and passed H.R. 251 and H.R. 254.
10:02:27 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:28 A.M.	H. Res. 295	During the course of debate on H. Res. 295, the Chair stated that it was not in order to embellish a unanimous consent request with additional remarks in the form of debate.
10:49:32 A.M.	H. Res. 295	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Hoyer raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
10:51:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	<action_description>Mr. Hoyer appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
10:51:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Mr. Sessions moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair.
11:17:51 A.M.	H. Res. 295	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 196 (Roll no. 347).
11:18:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
11:59:18 A.M.		Ms. Fudge moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:22:11 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 138 – 265 (Roll no. 348).
12:22:36 P.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
12:41:37 P.M.	H. Res. 295	The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:02:24 P.M.	H. Res. 295	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 – 195 (Roll no. 349).
1:02:25 P.M.	H. Res. 295	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 295. H.R. 2642 — “To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
1:03:05 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2642 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
1:03:34 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2642.
1:40:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Watt raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
1:41:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Watt appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
1:42:09 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:09:13 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 189 (Roll no. 350).
2:20:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	made to have words taken down. Subsequently, the demand was withdrawn.
2:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 2642.
2:32:54 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Thompson (MS) raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
2:33:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Thompson (MS) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
2:34:45 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:54:15 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 181 (Roll no. 351).
3:06:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered without objection.
3:06:46 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Ms. Esty moved to recommit with instructions to Agriculture.
3:07:14 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct annual audits of the food regulatory systems for each country that is eligible to export meat, poultry, or egg products to the United States. The motion would also give the Secretary the authority to transfer funds from any Department of Agriculture account to the Food Safety and Inspection Service account in order to address any food safety emergency.
3:32:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 198 – 226 (Roll no. 352).
3:40:29 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 – 208 (Roll no. 353).
3:40:31 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:41:39 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question on agreeing to the Journal de novo.
3:41:58 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:32 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, July 11, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013. Agreed to without objection.
3:56:01 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:51:56 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:52:07 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:52:08 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 15, 2013.

Black History

the Senate considers S.1238 CONGRESS the House considers HR2642

07/11/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, July 11, 2013.

Following the prayer and the pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013.
Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 12:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 30 minutes.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for caucus meetings. At 2:15pm, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm today. At 2:15pm Senator Reid will be recognized. He intends to file cloture on several executive nomination this afternoon.

In order to file cloture on a series of nominations we need to go in and out of executive session. A motion to executive session to consider a nomination and a motion to return to legislative session are nondebatable motions. Typically we go in and out of legislative and executive session by consent. However, a senator could ask for a roll call vote on any or all of those motions.

As a result, we could see a series of procedural votes as early as 2:15pm today.

Senator Murray asked unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #33, H.Con.Res.25; the amendment at the desk, which is the text of S.Con.Res.8, the budget resolution passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; and that H.Con.Res.25, as amended, be agreed to. Further, that the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate; and that following the authorization, two motions to instruct conferees be in order from each side:

– Motion to instruct relative to the debt limit; and

– Motion to instruct relative to taxes/revenue;

That there be two hours of debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior to votes in relation to the motions; further, that no amendments be in order to either of the motions prior to the votes; all of the above occurring with no intervening action or debate.

Senator Rubio asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes reconciliation instructions to raise the debt limit. Senator Murray objected to Senator Rubio’s modification because she offered the senator a vote on a motion to instruct conferees on the debt limit. Finally, Senator Rubio objected to Senator Murray’s original request.

When we reconvened at 2:15pm, the Senate turned to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. We still expect a series of roll call votes this afternoon, potentially in the 3pm range.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations:

– Exec. Cal. #51, Richard Cordray, of Ohio, to be Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;

– Exec. Cal #100, Richard Griffin, of the District of Columbia, to be Member of the National Labor Relations Board;

– Exec. Cal #101, Sharon Block, of the District of Columbia, to be Member of the National Labor Relations Board;

– Exec. Cal #104, Mark Pearce, of New York, to be Member of the National Labor Relations Board;

– Exec. Cal #178, Fred Hochberg, of New York, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;

– Exec. Cal #99, Thomas Perez, of Maryland, to be Secretary of Labor; and

– Exec. Cal #98, Gina McCarthy, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Senator McConnell then asked consent that on Tuesday at 2:15pm the Senate proceed to consecutive votes on 1 Democratic and 2 Republican nominees to the NLRB:

– Exec. Cal #104, Mark Pearce, of New York, to be Member of the National Labor Relations Board

– Exec. Cal. #102, Harry Johnson, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board

– Exec. Cal. #103, Philip Miscimarra, of Illinois, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board

Further, that following those votes the Senate proceed to the cloture motion filed on Exec. Cal #99, Thomas Perez, of Maryland, to be Secretary of Labor, and that if cloture is invoked the Senate immediately proceed to a vote on confirmation of the nominations; further, the Senate then vote on the cloture motion filed on Exec. Cal #98, Gina McCarthy, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and if cloture is invoked, the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination. Further, that the Senate then vote on the cloture motion that was filed on Exec. Cal #178, Fred Hochberg, of New York, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and if cloture is invoked, the Senate proceed to an immediate vote on confirmation of that nomination. Finally, that following the votes listed above the Senate proceed to the cloture votes on the remaining 3 filed cloture motions.

Senator Reid objected.

We were able to go in and out of Legislative and Executive session by voice votes. In light of this development, the series of procedural votes will no longer be necessary and there will be no further votes this week. The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Reid announced there would be a procedural vote around 5:30pm on Monday and a joint Democratic and Republican caucus meeting at 6pm on Monday.

If no agreement on the nominations can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur early Tuesday morning. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Finance committee and passed H.R.2289, to rename section 219(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA.

Adopted H.Con.Res.43, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on the occasion of the 95^th anniversary of his birth.

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.191, designating July 27, 2013, as “National Day of the American Cowboy.”

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1292, the Defund Obamacare Act of 2013. (Cruz)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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July 2013
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
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7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

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Last Floor Action:
3:12:37 P.M. -H.R. 2642
On motion to
recommit with instructions Roll Call 352 – Recorded vote pending.

9:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:39 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark Meadows to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:01 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Binion II, Westside Church of God, Fresno, California.
9:03:08 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) 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. Thompson (PA) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
9:03:20 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wittman to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:05:44 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:19:35 A.M.		Ms. Sewell (AL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:47:08 A.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 125 – 260 (Roll no. 346).
9:47:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 295 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2642) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
9:48:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:26 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate to H.R. 588, and passed H.R. 251 and H.R. 254.
10:02:27 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:28 A.M.	H. Res. 295	During the course of debate on H. Res. 295, the Chair stated that it was not in order to embellish a unanimous consent request with additional remarks in the form of debate.
10:49:32 A.M.	H. Res. 295	<POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Hoyer raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
10:51:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Mr. Hoyer appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
10:51:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Mr. Sessions moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair.
11:17:51 A.M.	H. Res. 295	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 196 (Roll no. 347).
11:18:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
11:59:18 A.M.		Ms. Fudge moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:22:11 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 138 – 265 (Roll no. 348).
12:22:36 P.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
12:41:37 P.M.	H. Res. 295	The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:02:24 P.M.	H. Res. 295	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 – 195 (Roll no. 349).
1:02:25 P.M.	H. Res. 295	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 295. H.R. 2642 — “To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
1:03:05 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2642 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
1:03:34 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2642.
1:40:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
1:41:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Watt appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
1:42:09 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:09:13 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 189 (Roll no. 350).
2:20:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	WORDS TAKEN DOWN – During the course of debate, exception was taken to certain words used and a demand was made to have words taken down. Subsequently, the demand was withdrawn.
2:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 2642.
2:32:54 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Thompson (MS) raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
2:33:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Thompson (MS) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
2:34:45 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:54:15 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 351).
3:06:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered without objection.
3:06:46 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Ms. Esty moved to recommit with instructions to Agriculture.
3:07:14 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct annual audits of the food regulatory systems for each country that is eligible to export meat, poultry, or egg products to the United States. The motion would also give the Secretary the authority to transfer funds from any Department of Agriculture account to the Food Safety and Inspection Service account in order to address any food safety emergency.
3:12:37 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to recommit with instructions Roll Call 352 – Recorded vote pending.

3:32:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 198 – 226 (Roll no. 352).
3:40:29 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 – 208 (Roll no. 353).
3:40:31 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:41:39 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question on agreeing to the Journal de novo.
3:41:58 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:32 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, July 11, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013. Agreed to without objection.
3:56:01 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:51:56 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:52:07 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:52:08 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 15, 2013.

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Going Nuclear

07/10/2013 Nativegrl77

CAP Action War Room

Standing Up to Unprecedented GOP Obstructionism

Republican leaders from the House and Senate got together and plotted on the very night President Obama was first inaugurated and agreed that there would be no cooperation, no compromise, no nothing but unceasing obstruction. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen ever since, whether it’s on legislation, judicial nominations, or other executive branch nominations.

After more than four years of unprecedented obstruction, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said enough is enough. He’s previously made two agreements with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to try and get the Senate moving without formally changing the rules, but both times Sen. McConnell failed to keep up his end of the bargain and the Senate remained gridlocked. Some nominees have literally been stalled for years at a time.

Today, Sen. Reid filed cloture on seven Obama nominees, many of whom are to serve in positions that protect workers, consumers, and our clean air and water. If the Republicans still insist on blocking these nominations come Tuesday, Democrats are poised to use the so-called “nuclear option” to eliminate the filibuster on executive branch nominations.

Filibusters would still be allowed on legislation and judicial nominations, but Senate Republicans would no longer be able to paralyze the government by denying the president the ability to fill key vacancies.

This is an important first step toward making the Senate function as our Founding Fathers envisioned it when they specified in the Constitution that only simple majorities were needed to approve both legislation and nominations.

The practical consequences of this decision are huge. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot issue rules in certain areas and do many key tasks unless it has a director. It will be difficult for the president to advance his agenda to combat climate change unless Gina McCarthy is confirmed to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Unless new members are confirmed to the National Labor Relations Board, it will literally cease to function soon — something that will hurt both workers and employers alike.

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans have engaged in years of unprecedented obstructionism and they have only themselves to blame if Democrats are forced to use the “nuclear option” to simply make the Senate function more like the Constitution says it should. Interestingly, many of the Republican Senators decrying this potential rules reform today argued vehemently in favor of it just eight short years ago.