President Obama announced that by the year’s
end, our servicemen and women currently in Iraq will all be home, and
the Iraq war will end. This is a historic moment that so many have been
working toward for years. Watch the video of the President’s message—and
then pass this news on.
Tag Archives: United States armed forces
Congress: the Republican led House uses Kucinich to embarrass -the Senate will be back on 6/6
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 3, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
3:27 P.M. – On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 7, 2011.
Mr. Burgess moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:07 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:55 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed with further one minute speeches.The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2702, the Clerk notified the House that she appointed Dr. Sharon Leon of Fairfax, Virginia, as a member of the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.
1:52 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:49 P.M. – LAW REVISION COUNSEL – Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 285c, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Ralph V. Seep as Law Revision Counsel for the House of Representatives, effective June 2, 2011.
1:48 P.M. – Mr. Kingston asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, June 9, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2011. Agreed to without objection.Mr. Kingston asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2011. Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Kingston asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, June 3, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Agreed to without objection.
1:47 P.M. – Mr. Kingston filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R. 2112.
- H. Con. Res. 51:
- directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
1:46 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 148 – 265 (Roll no. 412).
1:39 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
- H. Res. 292:
- declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 268 – 145, 1 Present (Roll no. 411).
1:16 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of agreeing to H.Res. 292 and H.Con.Res. 51 which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
- H. Con. Res. 51:
- directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
1:15 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Con.Res. 51, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kucinich demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the resolution until a time to be announced.The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Con. Res. 51.
11:59 A.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. The resolution provides 1 hour of debate for H. Res. 292. It also provides for 1 hour for H. Con. Res. 51. It waives all points of order against consideration on both H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. And, both shall be considered as read.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 294.
- H. Res. 292:
- declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 292, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McKeon demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.
11:58 A.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:45 A.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 292.
10:42 A.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. The resolution provides 1 hour of debate for H. Res. 292. It also provides for 1 hour of debate for H. Con. Res. 51. It waives all points of order against consideration on both H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. And, both shall be considered as read.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 294.
- H. Res. 294:
- providing for consideration of the resolution ( H. Res. 292) declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 51) directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 257 – 156 (Roll no. 410).
10:18 A.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.
9:12 A.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 294.
9:10 A.M. – Considered as privileged matter.
9:03 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to five per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Chu 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.
9:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| The Senate Convenes: 10:30amET June 3, 2011 |
| Pro-forma session only, with no business conducted |
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Congress: the Republican led House debates,cuts,slashes& burns Americans the Senate … back in Session on June 6th
On the House Flr- Wednesday: Begin consideration of H.R. 2017—Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012 (Subject to a Rule). Consideration of H. Con. Res. 51–Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya.
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 1, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
- H.R. 2017:
- making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
10:39 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Sherman
amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:38 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Sherman.
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available by this Act may be
used in contravention of the War Powers Resolution
On agreeing to the Scalise amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
10:34 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise
amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:32 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Scalise.
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to require an approved
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applicant to personally
appear at a designated enrollment center for the purpose of TWIC
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Price (NC)
amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice
vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Price (NC) demanded a recorded vote
and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the
amendment until a time to be announced.
10:26 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Price (NC)
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Price (NC).
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to enforce the requirements in
section 34(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974
On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
10:22 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds be used to parole an alien into
the United States, or grant deferred action of a final order of removal, for any
reason other than on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or
significant public benefit
10:21 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Richmond amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes
legislation in an appropriationbill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
10:18 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richmond
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending a reservation of a point of order.
10:16 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Richmond.
- An amendment to include funds for disaster assistance that includes an
emergency designation pursuant to section 3(c)(1) of H.Res. 5 (112th Congress)
shall be required by any rule of policy to be accompanied by a budgetary offset.
On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
10:12 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe
amendment no. 10 under the five-minute rule.
10:11 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).
- An amendment numbered 10 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the
use of funds to be used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Poe (TX) amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes
legislation in an appropriationbill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
10:06 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe
amendment no. 9 under the five-minute rule, pending a reservation of a point of
order.
10:05 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).
- An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the
use of funds to provide to a State or local government entity or official that
is in violation of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and
Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Carter amendment,
the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote,
announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Price (NC) demanded a recorded vote and
the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the
amendment until a time to be announced.
9:53 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Carter
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Carter.
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available by this Act to be
used for the Climate Change Adaptation Task Force of the Department of Homeland
Security
9:51 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Richmond amendment The
amendment constitutes legislation and violate Clause 2 Rule XXI. The Chair
sustained the point of order.
9:48 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richmond
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Mr. Richmond.
- An amendment to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) to waive debts owed to the United States relating to
covered assistance provided to an individual if the assistance was distributed
based on an error by FEMA or the collection of the debt will create a financial
burden on the debtor.
9:45 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Carter amendment,
the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote,
announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Price (NC) demanded a recorded vote and
the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the
amendment until a time to be announced.
9:26 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.
- An amendment to strike section 547.
9:18 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Sessions
amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice
vote, announced the ayes 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.
9:11 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Sessions
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Sessions.
- An amendment to strike section 514.
9:06 P.M. – On agreeing to the Honda amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
8:57 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Honda
amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:56 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Honda.
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for immigrant intergration grants.
8:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
8:51 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson
amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:50 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.
- An amendment to redirect a $100,000,000 with respect to the Disaster Relief
fund.
8:48 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Lowey amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
8:46 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Heck
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.
8:44 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mrs. Lowey.
- An amendment to provide for designated emergency funds for the State and
Local Programs and for the Firefighter Assistance Grants
8:27 P.M. – On agreeing to the Heck amendment Failed by voice vote.
8:23 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Heck
amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:22 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Heck.
- An amendment to strike language relating to the top 10 highest risk urban
areas to 25.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Clarke(MI) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Clarke (MI) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
7:36 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Clarke(MI)
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Mr. Clarke (MI).
- An amendment to strike language relating to the top 10 highest risk urban
areas.
By unanimous consent, the Clarke (MI) amendment was withdrawn.
7:30 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Clarke(MI)
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Mr. Clarke (MI).
- An amendment to appropriate by transfer, $2,000,000,000 to programs in the
heading State and Local Programs.
7:28 P.M. – Mr. Carter raised a point of order against the Richardson amendment Mr.
Carter stated that the amendment seeks to provide funds for programs not yet
authorized. The Chair sustained the point of order.
7:24 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.
- An amendment to appropriate $50,000,000 for the purposes of Interoperable
Emergency Operations Grants.
7:23 P.M. – Mr. Carter raised a point of order against the Richardson amendment Mr.
Carter stated that the amendment seeks to provide funds for programs not yet
authorized. The Chair sustained the point of order.
7:18 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richardson
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.
- An amendment to place instructions in the bill on the appropriation of
certain funds.
7:12 P.M. – On agreeing to the Barrow amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
7:11 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Barrow
amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:10 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Barrow.
- An amendment to increase by transfer for U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.
On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
7:08 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the King(IA)
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order. Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn.Amendment offered by Mr. King (IA).
- An amendment to increase by transfer for U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement by $1 million.
7:05 P.M. – On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
7:02 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the King(IA)
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. King (IA).
- An amendment to increase by transfer for the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection by $1 million.
6:58 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the
Union for further consideration.
6:57 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
6:56 P.M. – Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 288.
- H.R. 2017:
- making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
6:55 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R.
2017as unfinished business.On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Aderholt moved that the Committee rise.
6:54 P.M. – On agreeing to the Cuellar amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll
No. 388).
6:50 P.M. – On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll
No. 387).
6:47 P.M. – On agreeing to the Royce amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll
No. 386).
6:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Cicilline amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll
No. 385).
6:37 P.M. – On agreeing to the LaTourette amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll
No. 384).
6:07 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was
the question of adoption of amendments which were debated earlier and on which
further proceedings had been postponed.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cuellar amendment,
the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote,
announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cuellar demanded a recorded vote and the
Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment
until a time to be announced.
6:04 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cuellar
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order. Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn.Amendment offered by Mr. Cuellar.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management and increase funds for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
6:03 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the McCaul amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
6:02 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCaul
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Mr. McCaul.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management and increase funds for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
6:01 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the McCaul amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
6:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCaul
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Mr. McCaul.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management and increase funds U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
5:59 P.M. – On agreeing to the McCaul amendment Failed by voice vote.
5:57 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCaul
amendment under the five-minute rule.
5:56 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. McCaul.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management and increase funds for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the McCaul amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
5:54 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCaul
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.
5:53 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. McCaul.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management, and increase funds for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the McCaul amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
5:50 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCaul
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Mr. McCaul.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management, and increase funds for the state and local divisions of FEMA.
5:49 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the McCaul amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
5:46 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCaul
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.
5:45 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. McCaul.
- An amendment to reduce funds for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management, and increase funds for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
expenses.
5:44 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Poe (TX) amendment Mr.
Aderholt stated that the amendment seeks to amend portions of the bill not yet
read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.
5:39 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe(TX)
amendment number 7 under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a
point of order.Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).
- An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to increase
funding for immigration enforcement, detention and removal operations by $100
million. The increase would be offset by reducing funding for the Office of the
Under Secretary for Management by the same amount.
By unanimous consent, the Norton amendment was withdrawn.
5:30 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Norton
amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of
order.Amendment offered by Ms. Norton.
- An amendment to increase funding to the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management by $500,673,000.
5:29 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Poe(TX)
amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice
vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Poe(TX) demanded a recorded vote and
the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the
amendment until a time to be announced.
5:23 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe(TX)
amendment number 8 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).
- An amendment numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record to increase
funding for border security fencing and infrastructure by $10 million. The
increase would be offset by reducing funding for the Office of the Under
Secretary for Management by the same amount.
On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
5:19 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun(GA)
amendment under the five-minute rule.
5:18 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).
- An amendment to reduce the funding for the Office of the Under Secretary for
Management by $600,000 and deposit the same amount to the Spending Reduction
Account.
On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by voice vote.
5:08 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson
Lee(TX) amendment number 12 under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation
of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn.Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).
- An amendment numbered 12 printed in the Congressional Record to increase the
surface transportation account by $5 million. This amount is offset by
reductions of $2.5 million each in the accounts for the Office of the Under
Secretary for Management and for the development and implementation of screening
programs of the Office of Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing.
5:07 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Royce amendment,
the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote,
announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Royce demanded a recorded vote and the
Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment
until a time to be announced.
4:59 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Royce
amendment number 2 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Royce.
- An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to increase
funding for Immigration Customs and Enforcement by $1 million. The increase
would be offset by reducing funds for Homeland Security Department executive
management.
4:58 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cicilline
amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice
vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Aderholt demanded a recorded vote
and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the
amendment until a time to be announced.
4:47 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cicilline
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Cicilline.
- An amdendment to increase funding, by offset, for state and local programsby
$337,000,000.
4:46 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the LaTourette
amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice
vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Aderholt demanded a recorded vote
and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the
amendment until a time to be announced.
4:17 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaTourette
amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. LaTourette.
- An amendment to reduce the funding for the Office of the Secretary and
Executive Management, Office of the Under Secretary for Management, and office
of the Chief Information Officer by $459,180,000; and increase funding, by
offset, for the Firefighter Assistance Grants, by $640,000,000.
4:16 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 287, the Committee of the Whole
proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2017.
3:35 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of
general debate on H.R. 2017.
3:34 P.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable David Dreier to act as Chairman of the
Committee.House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of
the Union pursuant to H. Res. 287 and Rule
XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2017 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. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order
against consideration of the bill are waived. After general debate the bill
shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. Points of order
against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI
are waived except for section 536. The resolution authorizes the Chair to accord
priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the
Congressional Record.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 287.
- H.R. 802:
- to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a VetStar Award
Program
3:33 P.M. – The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
3:32 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 Agreed to by the
Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 11 (Roll
no. 383).
3:26 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
- H. Res. 287:
- providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2017) making
appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
3:25 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 – 187 (Roll
no. 382).
3:19 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
3:17 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was
on agreeing to H.Res. 287 and on a motion to suspend the rules which had been
debated earlierand on which further proceedings had been postponed.ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE NUMBER OF HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of Rule XX, the Chair
announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the Oath of
Office to the Gentlewoman from New York, the whole number of the House if 433.
3:11 P.M. – OATH OF OFFICE – Representative-Elect Kathleen C. Hochul, Twenty-Sixth
District, State of New York, presented herself in the well of the House for the
purpose of taking the Oath of Office which was administered by the Speaker of
the House.
3:10 P.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the
House a facsimile copy of a letter received from Mr. Robert Brehm and Ms.
Kimberly Galvin on behalf of Mr. Todd Valentine, Co-Executive Directors, New
York State Board of Elections, indicating that, according to the unofficial
returns of the Special Election held May 24, 2011, the Honorable Kathy Courtney
Hochul was elected Representative to Congress for the Twenty-Sixth Congressional
District, State of New York.
- H. Res. 287:
- providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2017) making
appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
3:09 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 186
(Roll
no. 381).
2:38 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
2:36 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was
on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 287 which had been debated earlier
and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:35 P.M. – LAW REVISION COUNSEL – Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 285c, and the order of the House
of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Ralph V. Seep as Law Revision
Counsel for the House of Representatives, effective June 1, 2011.
2:33 P.M. – The House received a communication from Peter G. LeFevre, Law Revision
Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. LeFevre notified the House formally,
that his retirement as Law Revision Counsel will take effect on June 1, 2011.
- H. Res. 287:
- providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2017) making
appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
2:32 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair put the question on ordering the previous
question on the resolution, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had
prevailed. Mr. Polis (CO) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed
further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the
legislative day.
1:17 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 287.
1:16 P.M. – On question of consideration of the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and
Nays: 234 – 183 (Roll
no. 380).
12:32 P.M. – POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Ellison raised a point of order against the provisions
of H.Res. 287 because it violates the Congressional Budget Act. The Chair
announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the
question of consideration of H.Res. 287. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of
debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question
on consideration.
12:28 P.M. – By direction of the Committee on Rules, Mr. Reed called up H.Res. 287 and
asked for its immediate consideration.
12:02 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.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.
12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of
June 1.
10:35 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.
10:00 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Lynn A. Westmoreland to act as Speaker
pro tempore for today.The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
- “““““““““`
- The Senate Convenes on June 6th
- State work period May 30-June 4
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International Relations:Intervention In Libya
Over the weekend, U.S. and allied air and naval forces launched strikes on the military assets of the regime of Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi. Last night marked the third night of air strikes and the New York Times is reporting “the military campaign to destroy air defenses and establish a no-fly zone over Libya has nearly accomplished its initial objectives, and the United States is moving swiftly to hand command to allies in Europe, American officials said on Monday.” The intervention came following a UN Security Council resolution on Friday that endorsed the creation of a no-fly zone and authorized “all necessary measures” to protect civilians. The UN resolution came as Qaddafi forces were threatening to rout — and some fear massacre — anti-government forces that had retreated to the eastern city of Benghazi. President Obama also explained the decision to authorize force: “The core point that has to be upheld here , is that the entire international community, almost unanimously, says that when there is a potential humanitarian crisis about to take place, when a leader that has lost legitimacy and decides to turn his military on his own people, we simply can’t stand by with empty words, we have to take some sort of action.” The sudden US intervention has proved controversial and spawned a serious debate over the nature of the mission’s objectives and the extent of US involvement that has divided foreign policy thinkers and political leaders on both sides of the aisle. While there is legitimate debate over the merits of intervention, many Republican 2012 candidates and conservative talking heads, ever desperate to attack the President and score cheap political points, are launching absurd attacks and even critiquing him for taking action they days before supported. As Politico noted, this is a “reminder of the dearth of foreign policy experience among the main GOP contenders.”
CONTEXT: What began as a popular uprising, similar to Egypt and Tunisia, quickly spiraled into an armed revolt following Qaddafi’s use of mercenary forces to brutally and indiscriminately suppress the protests. Just a few weeks ago, rebel forces controlled much of the country and appeared on the cusp of toppling Qaddafi. But Qaddafi rallied and launched a furious counter-attack, which forced a rebel retreat across the country. As Qaddafi’s forces approached the eastern city of Benghazi, there were growing fears of a massacre and humanitarian and refugee crisis. This prompted the Arab League to call for Western intervention. On Friday, the United Nations Security Council authorized international action in Libya by a vote of 10-0 with five countries (Brazil, Germany, Russia, China, India) choosing to abstain. Over the past three days, the U.S. fired more than 130 Tomahawk cruise missiles and launched numerous air strikes, which have prevented the fall of Benghazi and a humanitarian crisis. President Obama said yesterday that “after the initial thrust has disabled Gaddafi’s air defences… there will be a transition in which we have a range of coalition partners, who will then be participating in establishing a no-fly zone.” Yet there is some confusion and disagreement within NATO over who will take charge of the operations from the US. The sudden nature of the intervention has also led to complaints from congress that the President did not properly consult with congress. The New York Times noted that “lawmakers from both parties argued that Mr. Obama had exceeded his constitutional authority by authorizing the military’s participation without Congressional approval. The president said in a letter to Congress that he had the power to authorize the strikes, which would be limited in duration and scope, and that preventing a humanitarian disaster in Libya was in the national interest.”
END GAME?: Intervention has led to a serious debate that has cross-cut party lines over the merits and objectives of the operation. Many fear the administration has not defined clear objectives or laid out an end game for its intervention. Republican Sen. Richard Lugar said, “I do not understand the mission because as far as I can tell in the United States there is no mission and there are no guidelines for success.” One cause for confusion is that in the first few weeks of the uprising in Libya the Obama administration called for Qaddafi to go, but it is unclear whether rebel forces have the capability to oust Qaddafi. Brian Katulis of the Center for American Progress warns, “you could have this very awkward phase emerging where Gaddafi is entrenched while there’s a rump state in eastern Libya and some but not all states in the Arab world work to isolate the regime.” This has led to fears of mission creep, where U.S. forces would escalate their intervention to ensure Qaddafi’s ouster. James Fallows of the Atlantic writes, “the most predictable failure in modern American military policy has been the reluctance to ask, And what happens then? … After this spectacular first stage of air war, what happens then? If the airstrikes persuade Qaddafi and his forces just to quit, great! But what if they don’t?” Conservative Wall Street Journal columnist noted that “the biggest takeaway, the biggest foreign-policy fact, of the past decade is this: America has to be very careful where it goes in the world, because the minute it’s there — the minute there are boots on the ground, the minute we leave a footprint — there will spring up, immediately, 15 reasons America cannot leave.” However, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said on Meet the Press that the President “has a military operation with very clear mission, and that’s what the president should do is have a clear mission and to avoid mission creep…this mission has been very carefully limited.” The Obama administration has insisted that the military intervention will be limited and has rejected sending in U.S. ground troops. President Obama said yesterday in Chile, “First of all, I think it’s very easy to square our military actions and our stated policies. Our military action is in support of a international mandate from the Security Council that specifically focuses on the humanitarian threat posed by Colonel Qaddafi to his people. … As part of that international coalition, I authorized the United States military to work with our international partners to fulfill that mandate. Now, I also have stated that it is U.S. policy that Qaddafi needs to go. And we got a wide range of tools in addition to our military efforts to support that policy… But when it comes to our military action, we are doing so in support of U.N. Security Resolution 1973, that specifically talks about humanitarian efforts. And we are going to make sure that we stick to that mandate.”
RIGHT WING NOISE: For days, many conservative presidential hopefuls and political pundits had called for U.S. intervention in Libya, but following the international community’s action, few took to the airwaves to back the President. Politico reported, “After demanding for weeks that he be more decisive on Libya, not one candidate in the field of 2012 GOP hopefuls has expressed support for President Barack Obama since he began bombing the North African nation. The GOP’s presidential prospects either sharply criticized the commander-in-chief this weekend or avoided weighing in.” For those GOP hopefuls and pundits that attacked the President, the critique centered on the premise that he waited too long and shouldn’t have sought international support — apparently it is preferable to go to war without international support. Sarah Palin said she wouldn’t criticize the President while she was abroad in India, but then went on to criticize the President saying if she were there would have been “less dithering.” John Bolton said on Fox News that the Obama administration was “wrong to base its decision to use force” due to the support of the Arab League or the United Nations. HBO’s Bill Maher noted on Friday, “Republicans don’t know what to do with this because they wanted this to happen, the no fly zone, so that’s good, but now Obama wants it so it’s bad. … Fox News today just put up a test pattern that said, ‘Please be patient while we figure out how this makes Obama the worst president ever.'”
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MILITARY: Asked And Answered
Yesterday, after an exhaustive and at times controversial ten-month review of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen announced that the purported risk of repealing the discriminatory policy is quite low. The 274-page report was released one day early after Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) pressured Gates to give the Senate as much time as possible to review the results and lift the ban during the lame duck session. (The House passed the measure in May.) On MSNBC this morning, Lieberman said, “I believe we have more than 60 Senators, including a good solid handful of Republicans, who are prepared to vote to take up the Armed Services bill, which already has within it the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Gates himself endorsed the review and called on Congress to pass repeal before another court decision found the ban unconstitutional and compelled the armed forces to stop enforcing the policy. “Now that we have completed this review, I strongly urge the Senate to pass this legislation and send it to the president for signature before the end of this year,” he said. “It is only a matter of time before the federal courts are drawn once more into the fray, with the very real possibility that this change would be imposed immediately by judicial fiat — by far the most disruptive and damaging scenario I can imagine, and the one most hazardous to military morale, readiness and battlefield performance.” Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham — the co-chairs of the Working Group that conducted the review — also reiterated that the study represented “the largest, most comprehensive review of a personnel policy matter which which the Department of Defense has ever undertaken.” The study is far more comprehensive, for example, than efforts taken to prepare the force for the integration of African Americans and women.
LITTLE RISK FROM REPEAL: The Working Group’s extensive survey of 400,000 servicemembers and 150,000 military spouses found that 70 percent of servicemembers said they would be able to “work together to get the job done” with a gay servicemember in their immediate units. Sixty-nine percent admitted to working in a unit with a co-worker that they believed to be gay and, of those who did, 92 percent said that their unit’s “ability to work together” with a gay person was “very good,” “good” or “neither good nor poor” (89 percent for those in Army combat arms units; 84 percent for those in Marine combat arms units.) What’s more, 74 percent of spouses of military servicemembers said repeal of DADT would not have a negative “impact on their view of whether their husbands or wives should continue to serve.” The highest rate of resistance to lifting the ban came from the Marine Corps, where servicemembers said they were least likely to encounter gay troops. Whereas approximately 30 percent of servicemembers across all branches expressed “negative views or concerns” about lifting the ban, between 40 and 60 percent of Marines in various combat arms specialties offered a negative opinion. As Johnson explained, that resistance “is driven by misperceptions and stereotypes.” The Marine Corps respondents also indicated ” a lower percentage who had actual experience of serving in a unit alongside someone who was gay or lesbian,” Ham added. “We did find, for example, in Marine Corps and Army combat arms units who had — in combat environments when those were — when they were asked about their experience with gay servicemembers in their unit reported actually quite favorably on the unit’s performance. So I think — again, I think it’s a largely — there is a differential in actual experience.” U.S. allies with experience in repealing similar bans, notably Canada and the United Kingdom, also saw indicators of opposition in pre-repeal surveys. Once the bans were dropped, however, repeal proved to be a non-event.
IMPLEMENTING REPEAL: During the press conference yesterday, the military leadership stressed the importance of lifting the ban in a deliberate yet timely manner. The study itself offers several recommendations. For instance, the Working Group assumes that implementation of repeal will depend upon “strong leadership, a clear message, and proactive education.” The report recommends equipping commanders in the field with the education and training tools to educate the force on what is expected of them in a post repeal environment. The group also rules out the need for special regulations governing the conduct of gay servicemembers or the establishment of separate facilities and argues that the Department “should issue guidance that all standards of conduct apply uniformly, without regard to sexual orientation.” On the delicate issue of providing benefits to the same-sex partners of servicemembers, the report notes that while the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents same-sex partners from accessing many benefits, there are some benefits that are available to anyone of a Service member’s choosing. “Department of Defense and the Services should inform servicemember about these types of benefits, if the policy is repealed,” Johnson noted during the press conference, arguing that another set of benefits, which are not statutorily prohibited, but do not extend to same-sex partners under current regulation, “should be revised and redefined to include same-sex partners.” The Working Group does not, however, recommend that the DoD “revise their regulations to specifically add same-sex committed relationships to the definition of ‘dependent,’ ‘family members,’ or other similar terms in those regulations, for purposes of extending benefits eligibility.” As legal analyst Andrew Cohen points out, for gay or lesbian service members who choose to come out after the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, “this means no financial breaks on housing allowances or health care benefits that are available to married couples.” The Working Group also recommends that “service members who have been previously separated under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be permitted to apply for reentry into the military.”
SENATE MUST ACT: On Thursday and Friday the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold two days of hearings with Gates, Mullen, the co-chairmen of the Working Group, and the four Service Chiefs. In a preview of the hearings, Gates was asked about Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) recent argument that the study would not provide the military or Congress with sufficient information about the effects of military readiness and unit cohesion. Gates said McCain “is mistaken” before adding, “This report does provide a sound basis for making decisions on this law.” “It’s hard for me to imagine that you can come up with a more comprehensive approach,” he said. President Obama, who discussed the results of the study with Service Chiefs on Monday, also issued a statement endorsing the report’s findings and calling on the Senate to “act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally.” Still, with a busy calendar full of economic concerns and urgency surrounding the new START treaty, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has yet to announce his floor plan for the National Defense Authorization Act – the bill which includes the DADT repeal amendment. Earlier this week, Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), long considered a swing vote on the issue, said that he considered homosexuality a “sin” and would be voting against the measure. Newly-sworn in Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) – who voted against repeal in the House but supported the underlining National Defense Authorization Act – also hinted that he would not support taking up the bill in the lame duck Congress. At least eight undecided senators promised to consider the results of the Pentagon’s Review before deciding how to vote on the measure.
Be a Seed for Change 
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