the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET December 12, 2011

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
• At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

• #360 Norman L. Eisen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic
• #501 Mari Carmen Aponte – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of El Salvador
• There will be one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Kerry and Lugar or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Eisen nomination. If cloture is invoked, the Senate will immediately vote on confirmation of the Eisen nomination. Upon disposition of the Eisen nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Aponte nomination. Further, if cloture is not invoked on the Eisen nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Aponte nomination.
• Therefore, at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, Senators should expect up to 3 and at least 2 roll call votes in relation the following:

• Motion to invoke cloture on the Eisen nomination
• If cloture is invoked, confirmation of the Eisen nomination
• Motion to invoke cloture on the Aponte nomination
• Additionally, Senator Reid announced that the Senate expects to consider the following additional items next week: additional nominations, remaining appropriations bills, balanced budget amendments, and payroll tax, unemployment insurance, Medicare reimbursement, tax extenders, all of which are set to expire at the end of the year.

As a reminder, at approximately 5:30pm today, there will be up to 3 and at least 2 roll call votes in relation the following:

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #360 Norman L. Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic;

– If cloture is invoked, confirmation of the Eisen nomination; and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #501 Mari Carmen Aponte to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of El Salvador.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Norman Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Czech Republic; Invoked: 70-16

6:09pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the nomination of Mari Carmen Aponte to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to El Salvador; Not Invoked: 49-37

There will be no further roll call votes this evening. The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #360 Norman L. Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic; Invoked: 70-16

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #501 Mari Carmen Aponte to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of El Salvador; Not Invoked: 49-37

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.1801, Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act with a Hutchison-Rockefeller amendment by voice vote.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the nomination of Norman Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic by voice vote.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 12, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

. -On motion to adjourn Roll Call 916 – Recorded vote pending.7:10:02 P.M. -Mr. Jackson (IL) moved that the House do now adjourn.7:09:51 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 915).7:04:26 P.M. -Considered as unfinished business.7:03:25 P.M. -H.R. 2158Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:03:24 P.M. -H.R. 2158On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 914).6:56:16 P.M. -H.R. 2158Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2158 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the “Wayne Grisham Post Office”.”6:55:10 P.M. -H.R. 3220Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:55:09 P.M. -H.R. 3220On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 913).6:31:14 P.M. -H.R. 3220Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3220 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the “Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office”.”6:30:38 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 agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed earlier in the day.6:30:05 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 12.5:49:35 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.5:49:26 P.M. -H.R. 2845Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:48:22 P.M. -H.R. 2845On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.5:10:29 P.M. -H.R. 2845DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2845.5:10:27 P.M. -H.R. 2845Considered under suspension of the rules.5:09:41 P.M. -H.R. 2845Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2845 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for enhanced safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation, to provide for enhanced reliability in the transportation of the Nation’s energy products by pipeline, and for other purposes.”5:09:07 P.M. -H.R. 2668At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cummings objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:58:06 P.M. -H.R. 2668DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2668.4:58:03 P.M. -H.R. 2668Considered under suspension of the rules.4:57:45 P.M. -H.R. 2668Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2668 — “To designate the station of the United States Border Patrol located at 2136 South Naco Highway in Bisbee, Arizona, as the “Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station”.”4:56:21 P.M. -H.R. 2767At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:48:54 P.M. -H.R. 2767DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2767.4:48:53 P.M. -H.R. 2767Considered under suspension of the rules.4:48:38 P.M. -H.R. 2767Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2767 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8 West Silver Street in Westfield, Massachusetts, as the “William T. Trant Post Office Building”.”4:48:04 P.M. -H.R. 2158At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:40:31 P.M. -H.R. 2158DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2158.4:40:30 P.M. -H.R. 2158Considered under suspension of the rules.4:40:16 P.M. -H.R. 2158Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2158 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the “Wayne Grisham Post Office”.”4:39:53 P.M. -H.R. 3246At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:32:21 P.M. -H.R. 3246DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3246.4:32:19 P.M. -H.R. 3246Considered under suspension of the rules.4:32:06 P.M. -H.R. 3246Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3246 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the “Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building”.”4:31:48 P.M. -H.R. 3220At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:23:13 P.M. -H.R. 3220DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3220.4:23:10 P.M. -H.R. 3220Considered under suspension of the rules.4:23:01 P.M. -H.R. 3220Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3220 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the “Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office”.”4:22:33 P.M. -S. 384At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:17:01 P.M. -S. 384DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 384.4:16:59 P.M. -S. 384Considered under suspension of the rules.4:16:46 P.M. -S. 384Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 384 — “To amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research.”4:16:01 P.M. -H.R. 1540Mr. Rogers (AL) asked unanimous consent that managers on the part of the House have until midnight on Dec. 12 to file a conference report on H.R. 1540. Agreed to without objection.4:15:57 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:15:45 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 12.2:04:59 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.2:04:35 P.M. -The House received a communication from Grant Scherling, Principal Engineer, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Scherling notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for testimony in a civil case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.2:03:40 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 9, 2011 at 10:02 a.m. stating that that body had concurred in the House amendment to S.J. Res. 22; passed H.R. 2061 and S. 1974; and agreed to H. Con. Res. 86.2:03:07 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Clyburn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:52 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Clyburn 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. Clyburn 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 later in the legislative day. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.2:00:44 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:34 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 12.12:01:28 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.12:00:56 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.12:00:40 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.