The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, February 28, 2013.

Senator McConnell obtained consent that the Inhofe-Toomey bill at the desk be considered as the bill that qualifies for introduction under the previous order. He then moved to proceed to S.16, Sequester replacement, and filed cloture on the motion.

The Senate then reached an agreement that results in 2 stacked roll call votes in relation to the sequester replacement bills at a time to be determined tomorrow. We expect the votes to occur after 2pm, but as always, another message will be sent once a time has been set.

The votes would be in relation to the following items:

–          Motion to invoke cloture on the McConnell motion to proceed to Calendar #19, S.16, a bill to proceed for sequester replacement.

–          Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar 18, S.388, the American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013

The details of the agreement are as follows.

On Thursday, February 28^th, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the McConnell motion to proceed to Calendar #19, S.16. If cloture is not invoked, the motion to proceed would be withdrawn and the Senate would then proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #18, S.388. Further, if cloture is invoked on the McConnell motion to proceed, the motion to proceed would be agreed to and the Senate would resume consideration of the Reid motion to proceed to S.388 and vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion. If cloture is invoked on the Reid motion, the motion to proceed would be agreed to. If the motion to proceed to S.16 was previously agreed to, the Senate would then resume consideration of the bill and upon disposition of S.16, the Senate resume consideration of S.388 if the motion to proceed was previously agreed to.

Senate
Floor Schedule for Thursday, February 28, 2013   10amET

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
• Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.388, the American Family Economic Protection Act.
• At a time to be determined on Thursday, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes on the following items in the following order:
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the McConnell motion to proceed to S.16, to provide for a sequester replacement, and
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to proceed to S.388, the American Family Economic Protection Act.
• Senators will be notified when those votes are scheduled.

This morning Senator Ayotte asked unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the motion to proceed to her alternative sequester bill, which is at the desk.

Senator Reid countered by asking that the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the Inhofe bill (S.16), the Ayotte-McCain-Graham bill, which is at the desk; and the Mikulski-Murray-Reid bill (S.388),all relating to sequester replacement; and that each vote be subject to majority vote thresholds.

Senator McConnell declined Senator Reid’s offer to have majority votes on the three bills. Senator Reid objected to the Ayotte request.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of 2 roll call votes at 2:30pm today. Under the agreement, it is in order for the Republican Leader to move to proceed to S.16. The time until 2:30 is equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees.

The 2:30pm roll call votes will be on the following motions:

– Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.16, sequester replacement.

– Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.388, American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013, and

Senator Hatch asked unanimous consent that following the two cloture votes today, it be in order for him to make a motion to commit S.388, American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013, to the Finance Committee, the text of which is at the desk, and the Senate proceed to vote immediately on the motion without intervening action or debate.

The Hatch language would strip tax provisions from the bill.

Senator Baucus objected.

2:32 The Senate began a roll call vote on McConnell motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.16, a bill for sequester replacement;

Not Invoked: 38-62

2:57pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.388, American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013;

Not Invoked: 51-49 (Senator Reid entered motion to reconsider failed vote)

Cloture on the McConnell motion to proceed to S.16, a bill to provide for sequestration replacement (Inhofe bill), was not invoked by a roll call vote of 38-62.

Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.388, American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013 (Mikulski-Murray-Reid bill), was not invoked by a roll call vote of 51-49.

Senator Reid changed his vote to no and then entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on his motion.

The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

Senators should expect the next vote to occur around 5:30pm on Monday in relation to a judicial nomination.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the McConnell motion to proceed to S.16, to provide for a sequester replacement; Not Invoked: 38-62

2) Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to proceed to S.388, the American Family Economic Protection Act; Not Invoked: 51-49

No LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

At 5:00pm on Monday, March 4 the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #15 and #16.

There will be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations.

At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations:

– Executive Calendar #15, the nomination of Pamela Ki Mai Chen, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; and

– Executive Calendar #16, the nomination of Katherine Polk Failla, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

We expect to voice vote the Chen nomination and conduct a roll call vote on the Failla nomination.

On Tuesday, March 5^th, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #20, S.Res.64, a resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.

The only amendment in order to the resolution is a Paul amendment striking provisions relative to the National Security Working Group. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form on the Paul amendment. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on the Paul amendment. Upon disposition of the Paul amendment, the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the resolution, as amended, if amended.

*************************************************

The House votes on VAWA

286 – 136

but should Americans trust Republicans

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

9:00:48 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:53 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:24 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:31 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:33 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Barrow of GA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:50 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.
9:14:57 A.M.	S. 47	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 83. S. 47 — “To reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.”
9:15:02 A.M.	S. 47	Rule provides for consideration of S. 47 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill. It provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-2, if offered by the Majority Leader or his designee, which shall be sparately debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent.
9:16:10 A.M.	S. 47	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 47.

10:48:16 A.M.	S. 47	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-2 printed in House Report 113-10.
10:49:09 A.M.	S. 47	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 83, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McMorris Rodgers amendment in the nature of a substitute.
10:58:14 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 307 amended.
10:58:44 A.M.	S. 47	DEBATE – The House resumed with debate on the McMorris Rodgers amendment in the nature of a substitute.
11:39:52 A.M.	S. 47	On agreeing to the McMorris Rodgers amendment; Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 166 – 257 (Roll no. 54).
11:57:08 A.M.	S. 47	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 286 – 138 (Roll no. 55).
11:57:09 A.M.	S. 47	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:05:44 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
12:35:05 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourn on Thursday, February 28, it adjourn to meet at 12 noon on Monday, March 4 for morning-hourd debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
12:35:46 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

12:55:00 P.M.		Congressional Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise- Pursuant to section 3166(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Ms. Heather Wilson, Albuquerque, NM .
12:55:15 P.M.		British-American Interparliamentary Group – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276L, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the British-American Interparliamentary Group: Mr. Petri, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Latta, Mr. Aderholt and Mr. Whitfield .
12:55:30 P.M.		Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China – pursuant to 22 U.S.C 6913 and the order of the House of January 3, 2013 the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China: Mr. Smith of NJ .
12:56:39 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

2:07:05 P.M.		Mr. Wolf moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:07:07 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:07:08 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 4, 2013.