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the Senate Convened at 10:00amET December 16, 2011

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 12:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the next 30 minutes.
• We continue to work on an agreement to consider the omnibus spending bill and a payroll tax compromise.  As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.3630, the House Republican Payroll Tax bill.  Unless an agreement is reached, that vote will occur Saturday morning.

Morning business has been extended until 5:00pm.  This morning, Senator Reid announced Senators should expect roll call votes tomorrow, Saturday, December 17^th.  The unofficial transcript of Senators Reid and McConnell’s remarks is below.

10:31:16 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, SENATOR McCONNELL AND I HAVE JUST

FINISHED A MEETING. WE’RE MAKING REALLY GOOD PROGRESS ON BEING

ABLE TO HANDLE THE ISSUES THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ARE OUTSTANDING.

WE’RE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE’RE VERY, VERY CLOSE. THERE WILL BE

VOTES TOMORROW. THERE COULD BE VOTES THIS AFTERNOON ALSO. I

WOULD ALSO SAY, BECAUSE THIS IS A QUESTION THAT PEOPLE WILL

ASK, THE HOUSE IS GOING TO PASS

THEIR BILL AROUND 3:00. THAT IS THE OMNIBUS.

AROUND 3:00. THE TIME IS NOT ALWAYS EXACT. THERE’S A RULING

FROM THIS WHITE HOUSE, ITS PREDECESSORS THAT IF ONE HOUSE

PASSES A SPENDING BILL AS WE ARE DOING HERE, AND THERE’S A

PRESUMPTION IT WILL PASS IN THE OTHER BODY, THE TIME IS

EXTENDED FOR 24 HOURS. SO EVERYONE DOESN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT

THE GOVERNMENT CLOSING TONIGHT.

{10:32:10 NSP} (MR. McCONNELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. McCONNELL: MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME ECHO THE REMARKS OF THE

MAJORITY LEADER. AS HE’S INDICATED, THE ADMINISTRATION TAKES

THE VIEW THAT IF THE FINAL APPROPRIATIONS BILLS PASS ONE HOUSE

THIS AFTERNOON, WE COULD HAVE THAT VOTE TODAY OR IT COULD BE

TOMORROW. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION, I’M TOLD BY THE MAJORITY

LEADER, TAKES THE VIEW THAT IF IT’S PASSED ONE HOUSE, THERE

WILL NOT BE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. SO I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD

BE REASSURED THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THE CONFERENCE REPORT

HAS BEEN SIGNED AND WE’RE MOVING TOWARD COMPLETING THE BASIC

WORK OF GOVERNMENT THROUGH NEXT SEPTEMBER 30 VERY SHORTLY. ON

THE SECOND ISSUE, THE MAJORITY LEADER AND I ARE MAKING

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND REACHING AN AGREEMENT ON A PACKAGE

THAT WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, I HOPE. I THINK WE’RE GOING

TO GET TO THAT PLACE. AND I SHARE HIS VIEW THAT GOOD PROGRESS

IS BEING MADE.

The Senate is now in recess subject to the call of the Chair.  When the Senate reconvenes, another message will be sent.

The Senate has reached an agreement with respect to the 2 month extension of payroll tax, UI, SGR, and other tax extenders, disaster aid funding, and the Omnibus Appropriations conference report,.

As a result of this agreement, senators should expect a series of up to 4 roll call votes at approximately 9:00am tomorrow in relation to the following items:

–          Reid substitute amendment to H.R.3630, 2 month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix, and unemployment insurance (60-vote threshold);

((up to 15 minutes for debate))

–          Passage of H.R.3672, emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold);

–          Adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold); and

–          Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations (60-vote threshold).

The agreement is as follows:

At 9am, Saturday, December 17^th, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #257, H.R.3630. The Majority Leader be recognized to offer a Reid-McConnell substitute amendment agreed to by both Leaders – a two month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix and unemployment insurance.

Following the reporting of the amendment, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the substitute. No amendments are in order to the substitute or the bill prior to the vote. The amendment is subject to a 60 vote threshold. If the substitute amendment is agreed to, the bill, as amended, will be read a third time and passed; if the Reid-McConnell substitute amendment is not agreed to, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

Upon disposition of H.R.3630, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the conference report with respect to H.R.2055 (Omnibus appropriations). There will be 15 minutes of debate – 5 minutes each for Senators Inouye, Cochran and McCain.

Upon the use or yielding back of time, the conference report will be temporarily set aside and, notwithstanding the lack of receipt of the papers from the House with respect to H.R.3672, the Senate proceed to the consideration, en bloc, of the following items:  H.R.3672,  a bill regarding emergency disaster funding and H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding. There will be no amendments in order to the bill or the concurrent resolution prior to votes in relation to those measures. Following the reporting of the bill and the concurrent resolution, the Senate proceed to votes on the measures in the following order:

– Passage of H.R.3672;

– Adoption of H.Con.Res.94; and

– Adoption of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R.2055, the Omnibus Appropriations bill.

There will be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote. Each of the votes will be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. No motions or points of order be in order prior to the votes other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive. Further, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to H.R.3630 was vitiated. Finally, the House be immediately notified of the Senate’s action following the votes.

WRAP UP

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act.

Passed S.2009, the Insular Areas Act of 2011

Passed H.J.Res.94, 1 day CR

P

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 16, 2011

 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2011.4:30:23 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:30:02 P.M. -Ms. Norton moved that the House do now adjourn.2:35:01 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.2:34:49 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 2009.2:15:28 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.2:08:43 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.2:08:03 P.M. –Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, December 16, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:07:34 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:07:23 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95On passage Passed without objection.2:07:10 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Considered by unanimous consent. H.J. Res. 95 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.”2:06:25 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.2:06:20 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:06:18 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94On passage Passed without objection.2:06:09 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Considered by unanimous consent. H.J. Res. 94 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.”2:05:03 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.2:03:40 P.M. -H.R. 3672Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:03:39 P.M. -H.R. 3672On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 351 – 67 (Roll no. 943).1:56:24 P.M. -H.R. 3672Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3672 — “Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.”1:54:18 P.M. -HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Cantor for the purpose of informing Members of the legislative schedule.1:53:20 P.M. –H. Con. Res. 94Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:53:18 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 255 – 165 (Roll no. 942).1:46:18 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 94 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672.”1:45:59 P.M. -MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in remembrance of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our Nation in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.1:44:52 P.M. -H.R. 2055Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:44:52 P.M. -H.R. 2055On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 296 – 121 (Roll no. 941).1:19:06 P.M. -H.R. 2055The House proceeded to consider the conference report H. Rept. 112-331 as unfinished business.1:18:29 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2055, agreeing to H. Con. Res. 94, and passage of H.R. 3672 all of which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.1:18:28 P.M. -H.R. 3672POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause X of Rule 20, the yeas and nays were ordered. Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, further proceedings on H.R. 3672 were postponed.1:18:05 P.M. -H.R. 3672The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:09:13 P.M. -H.R. 3672DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3672.1:08:59 P.M. -H.R. 3672Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. H.R. 3672 — “Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.”1:08:33 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, futher proceedings on H. Con. Res. 94 were postponed.1:08:12 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:06:32 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94DEBATE – The House proceeded with twenty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 94.1:05:50 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. H. Con. Res. 94 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672.”1:05:24 P.M. -H.R. 2055POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause X of Rule 20, the yeas and nays were ordered. Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, further proceedings on H.R. 2055 were postponed.1:05:14 P.M. -H.R. 2055The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:55:52 A.M. -H.R. 2055DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report H. Rept. 112-331 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 500.11:55:34 A.M. -H.R. 2055Mr. Rogers (KY) brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-331 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 500.11:53:26 A.M. -S. 278Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:48:49 A.M. -S. 278On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 940).11:45:57 A.M. -S. 278Considered as unfinished business. S. 278 — “To provide for the exchange of certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.”11:45:54 A.M. -H.R. 1892Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:45:53 A.M. -H.R. 1892On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 23 (Roll no. 939).11:44:22 A.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.11:36:21 A.M. -H. Res. 500Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:36:20 A.M. -H. Res. 500On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 252 – 164 (Roll no. 938).11:29:02 A.M. -H. Res. 500On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 179 (Roll no. 937).10:34:49 A.M. -H. Res. 500DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 500.10:33:48 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3421, and S. 1612. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 93.9:58:00 A.M. -H. Res. 500DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 500.9:55:12 A.M. -H. Res. 500Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 500 — “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2055) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3672) making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 94) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672; and for other purposes.”9:54:44 A.M. -H.R. 2867Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.9:54:43 A.M. -H.R. 2867On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.9:43:57 A.M. -H.R. 2867DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2867.9:43:40 A.M. -H.R. 2867Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.9:42:46 A.M. -H.R. 1892At 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.9:18:48 A.M. -H.R. 1892DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1892.9:18:33 A.M. -H.R. 1892Mr. Rogers (MI) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.9:17:45 A.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.9:03:00 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.9:02:39 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:36 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:01:04 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:41 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert J. Dold to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.9:00:27 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.