the Senate Convened at  10:00am ET February 17, 2012

• Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:00am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
• Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill.
• The filing deadline for all 2^nd degree amendments to the Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance, & Commerce titles) to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill is 10:30am on Friday.
• At a time to be determined and as early as 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes in relation to the following, in the following order:

• Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance, & Commerce titles) to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill,
  • (2 minutes of debate)
• Confirmation of the nomination of Jesse Furman, of NY, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.
• We also hope to consider the conference report to accompany H.R.3630, the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act.

The filing deadline for 2^nd degree amendments to the Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance, & Commerce titles) to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill is 10:30am today.

If cloture is invoked on the Reid amendment and your Senator would like to preserve his or her right to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

At approximately 11:00am today, the Senate will conduct 3 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance, & Commerce titles) to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill,

(2 minutes of debate)

– Confirmation of the nomination of Jesse Furman, of NY, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

(10 minutes of debate)

– Adoption of the Conference Report to accompany H.R.3630, the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act.

11:11am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1633 (adds the Banking, Finance, and Commerce (as reported by Commerce Committee) titles);Not Invoked: 54-42

11:38am The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Jesse Furman, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York;Confirmed: 62-34

11:58am The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.3630, the Tax relief and Job Creation Act

12:04pm Following the vote on the pay roll tax conference report, the Senate resumed consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill. Under a previous order, the Reid amendment #1633 and the amendments on the “amendment tree” were withdrawn. Senator Reid then called up Reid amendment #1730, which adds to the bill the Banking title, Finance title, and a new compromise Commerce title.

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

12:15pm The following amendments are pending to S.1813, the Surface Transportation Act:

• Reid amendment #1730 (Banking, Finance and Commerce titles)
• Reid motion to commit with instructions (date change); withdrawn
• Reid amendment #1636 to the motion to commit (date change);
• Reid amendment #1637 to #1636 (date change);

The following amendments have been considered to S.1813, the Surface Transportation Act:

• Johnson-Shelby #1515 (banking title); withdrawn
• Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance and Commerce titles); withdrawn
• Reid amendment #1634 (date change); fell when #1633 was withdrawn

2:31pm  Prior to the adjournment of the Senate, Republicans objected to Senators Reid’s request to confirm the following nominations on the Executive Calendar:

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

#86 Ben S. Bernanke – United States Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund

 

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

#258 Phyllis Nichamoff Segal – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#259 Lisa M. Quiroz — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and

Community Service

#261 Matthew Francis McCabe — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#262 Marguerite W. Kondracke — to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#263 Jane D. Hartley – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

#264 Richard Christman – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service

 

SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION

#338 Anthony Frank D’Agostino – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

#339 Anthony Frank D’Agostino – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (Reappointment)

#340 Gregory Karawan – to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

 

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

#344 Martin J. Gruenberg – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Reappointment)

#345 Martin J. Gruenberg – to be Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#346 Thomas J. Curry – to be Comptroller of the Currency

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

#403 Kenneth J. Kopocis – to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#422 Michael A. Hammer – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Public Affairs)

 

HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

#450 Laura A. Cordero – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 15, 2015

 

AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

#456 Albert DiClemente – to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

#493 Charles DeWitt McConnell – to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy)

#494 David T. Danielson – to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)

#495 LaDoris Guess Harris – to be Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact, Department of Energy

#496 Gregory Howard Woods – to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy

 

STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

#499 James R. Hannah – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

#500 Daniel J. Becker – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#501 Mari Carmen Aponte – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Republic of El Salvador.

#502 Adam E. Namm – to be Ambassador of the US of America to the Republic of Ecuador.

#504 Roberta S. Jacobson – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs),

#505 Elizabeth M. Cousens – to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.

#506 Elizabeth M. Cousens – to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#507 Michael E. Horowitz – to be Inspector General

 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

#511 Rebecca M. Blank – to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce

 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

#512 Ajit Varadaraj Pai – to be a Member of the FCC for a term of five years from July 1, 2011

#513 Jessica Rosenworcel – to be a Member of the FCC for a term of five years from July 1, 2010

 

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

#514 Jon D. Leibowitz – to be a FTC for a term of seven years from September 26, 2010

#515 Maureen K. Ohlhausen – to be a FTC for a term of seven years from September 26, 2011

 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#516 Kathryn Keneally – to be an Assistant Attorney General

 

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

#517 Maurice A. Jones – to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

#518 Carol J. Galante – to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

 

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

#519 Thomas Hoenig – to be Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

#520 Thomas Hoenig – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a term of six years

 

 

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

#521 Deepa Gupta – to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring Sept. 3, 2016

#522 Christopher Merrill – to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring Jan. 26, 2016

 

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

#523 Stephanie Orlando – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for the remainder of the term expiring Sept. 17, 2011

#524 Stephanie Orlando – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring Sept. 17, 2014

#525 Gary Blumenthal – to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring Sept. 17, 2013

 

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

#526 Wendy M. Spencer – to be Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

#527 – Arunava Majumdar – to be Under Secretary of Energy

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#541 Mary John Miller – to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury

 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

#542 Henry J. Aaron – to be a Member of the Social Security Advisory Board

 

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

#543 Kathleen Kerrigan – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for the term of fifteen years

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#544 Alastair M. Fitzpayne – to  be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury

 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

#546 Margaret Ann Sherry – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security

 

INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION

#547 Eduardo Arriola – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring Oct. 6, 2016

#548 J. Kelly Ryan – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for the remainder of the term expiring Sept. 20, 2012

 

OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

#549 Michael James Warren – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation

 

SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

#550 David J. McMillan – to be a Member of the Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

#551 Wenona Singel – to be a Member of the Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#553 Anuj Chang Desai – to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for the term expiring September 30, 2011

#554 Anuj Chang Desai – to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for the term expiring September 30, 2014

#555 Dennis J. Erby – to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Mississippi for the term of four years

 

UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

#556 Earl W. Gast – to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#557 Anne Claire Richard – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Population, Refugees, and Migration)

#558 Tara D. Sonenshine – to be Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy

#559 Robert E. Whitehead –to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Togolese Republic

#560 Larry Leon Palmer – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Barbados, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Granadines

 

#561 Jonathan Don Farrar – to be a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Panama

#562 Phyllis Marie Powers – to be a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Nicaragua

#563 Nancy J. Powell – to be a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Personal Rank of Career Ambassador, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to India

 

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION

#564 Bruce J. Sherrick – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agriculture Mortgage Corporation

#565 Chester John Culver – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agriculture Mortgage Corporation

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

#566 Michael T. Scuse – to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services

#567 Michael T. Scuse – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#572 Mark William Lippert – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Wallace C. Gregson, resigned.

— WRAP UP —

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance, & Commerce titles) to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill; Not Invoked: 54-42

2) Confirmation of the nomination of Jesse Furman, of NY, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; Confirmed: 62-34

3) Adoption of the Conference Report to accompany H.R.3630, the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act; Adopted: 60-36

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and adopted S.Res.325: A resolution recognizing the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a global event of cultural significance to the United States.

Adopted S.Res.379: condemning violence by the Government of Syria against the Syrian people by voice vote.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S. 2118, the “Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act” (Cornyn).

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed all nominations placed on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, and Navy and the following:

NAVY

#573 To be Admiral – Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, III

AIR FORCE

#574 To be Brigadier General – Col. Michael A. Meyer

#575 To be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Michael J. Basla

#576 To be Lieutenant General – Maj. Gen. John E. Hyten

#577 To be Brigadier General — Col. Sean L. Murphy

#578 To be Brigadier General – Col. Charles E. Potter

#579 To be Brigadier General – Col. Harris J. Kline

#580 To be Brigadier General – Col. Richard M. Erikson

#581 To be Major General – Brig. Gen. Robert G. Kenny

#582 To be Major General –

Brigadier General Gary M. Batinich

Brigadier General Richard S. Haddad

Brigadier General Robert M. Haire

Brigadier General Michael D. Kim

Brigadier General Mark A. Kyle

Brigadier General Kevin E. Pottinger

Brigadier General Robert D. Rego

Brigadier General George F. Williams

#583 To be Brigadier General –

Colonel Jeffrey K. Barnson

Colonel Abel Barrientes

Colonel Kimberly A. Crider

Colonel Theron G. Davis

Colonel Christopher L. Eddy

Colonel Lyman L. Edwards

Colonel John C. Flournoy, Jr.

Colonel Kathryn J. Johnson

Colonel Kenneth D. Lewis, Jr.

Colonel Vincent M. Mancuso

Colonel Udo K. McGregor

Colonel Eric S. Overturf

Colonel Karen A. Rizzuti

Colonel Vincent M. Saroni

Colonel James P. Scanlan

#584 To be Lieutenant General –Maj. Gen. Craig A. Franklin

#585 To be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller

#586 To be Brigadier General – Col. Robert T. Brooks, Jr.

ARMY

#587 To be Brigadier General – Col. Susan A. Davidson

#588 To be Brigadier General –

Colonel Jon S. Lehr

Colonel Timothy P. McGuire

Colonel Burdett K. Thompson

#589 To be Brigadier General – Col. Wendul G. Hagler, II

#590 To be Lieutenant General – Maj. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn

#591 To be Major General – Brig. Gen. Leslie A. Purser

#592 To be Brigadier General – Col. Mary E. Link

#593 To be Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps – Col. Richard C. Gross

#594 To be Lieutenant General – Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti

#595 To be Brigadier General

Colonel Patricia M. Anslow

Colonel Jose R. Atencio, III

Colonel William E. Bartheld

Colonel Jeffrey M. Breor

Colonel Michael R. Bresnahan

Colonel John A. Byrd

Colonel Sylvester Cannon

Colonel William J. Coffin

Colonel Benjamin J. Corell

Colonel Kurt S. Crytzer

Colonel Ronald J. Czmowski

Colonel Rex E. Duncan

Colonel Gerald L. Dunlap

Colonel John M. Epperly

Colonel James C. Ernst

Colonel John A. Goodale

Colonel Timothy E. Gowen

Colonel Paul C. Hastings

Colonel Percy G. Hurtado, II

Colonel Jon A. Jensen

Colonel Craig D. Johnson

Colonel Maria E. Kelly

Colonel Eric D. Kerska

Colonel Kenneth A. Koon

Colonel William J. Lieder

Colonel Roy V. McCarty

Colonel Franklin C. McCauley, Jr.

Colonel Darlene A. McCurdy

Colonel David J. Medeiros

Colonel Walter L. Mercer

Colonel Allen L. Meyer

Colonel Mark J. Michie

Colonel Richard G. Miller

Colonel Robert A. Moore

Colonel John R. Mosher

Colonel David W. Osborn

Colonel Phillip M. Owens

Colonel Gregory C. Porter

Colonel Von C. Presnell

Colonel Philip T. Pugliese

Colonel Jessie R. Robinson

Colonel Paul F. Russell

Colonel Tracy L. Settle

Colonel David P. Sheridan

Colonel Hopper T. Smith

Colonel Michael D. Turello

Colonel Daniel Vazquez-Rosa

Colonel Timothy J. Wojtecki

Colonel Michael R. Zerbonia

#596 To be Major General –

Brigadier General Robbie L. Asher

Brigadier General Glenn A. Bramhall

Brigadier General Scott E. Chambers

Brigadier General Alan S. Dohrmann

Brigadier General Steven W. Duff

Brigadier General William L. Glasgow

Brigadier General Wilton S. Gorske

Brigadier General Lawrence A. Haskins

Brigadier General Peter C. Hinz

Brigadier General David F. Irwin

Brigadier General Theodore D. Johnson

Brigadier General Harry E. Miller, Jr.

Brigadier General Renwick L. Payne

Brigadier General Joseph M. Richie

Brigadier General James M. Robinson

Brigadier General Stephen G. Sanders

Brigadier General Michael C. Swezey

Brigadier General Scott L. Thoele

Brigadier General James H. Trogdon, III

Brigadier General Charles W. Whittington, Jr.

#597 To be Brigadier General –

Colonel John C. Harris, Jr.

Colonel Gregory D. Mason

Colonel Dana L. McDaniel

#598 To be Major General – Brig. Gen. Timothy A. Reisch

#599 To be Major General – Brig. Gen. Gregory A. Lusk

#600 To be Brigadier General – Col. John DiNapoli

MARINE CORPS

#601 To be Major General –

Brigadier General Steven W. Busby

Brigadier General Michael G. Dana

Brigadier General William M. Faulkner

Brigadier General Walter L. Miller, Jr.

Brigadier General Joseph L. Osterman

Brigadier General Christopher S. Owens

Brigadier General Gregg A. Sturdevant

NAVY

#602 To be Admiral – Vice Adm. Bruce W. Clingan

#603 To be Vice Admiral – Rear Adm. John W. Miller

#604 To be Vice Admiral – Rear Adm. Philip H. Cullom

#605 To be Vice Admiral – Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio

#606 To be Vice Admiral – Vice Adm. William R. Burke

——————————————————————————————————————————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 17, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on February 21, 2012.2:08:35 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.2:08:08 P.M. -Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.1:38:17 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.1:34:09 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting an economic report of the United States. – referred to the Joint Economic Committee and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-77).12:43:29 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.12:42:56 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3630.12:06:31 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.11:50:29 A.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.11:49:53 A.M. -Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, February 24, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012. Agreed to without objection.11:49:52 A.M. -Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012. Agreed to without objection.11:49:51 A.M. -Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, February 17, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Agreed to without objection.11:48:50 A.M. -H. Res. 558Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:48:25 A.M. -H. Res. 558On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.11:48:09 A.M. -H. Res. 558Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 558 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to provide a copy of the on-the-record portions of the audio backup file of the deposition of William R. Clemens that was conducted by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 5, 2008, to the prosecuting attorneys in the case of United States of America v. Clemens, No. 1:10-cr-00223-RBW (D.D.C.).”11:46:00 A.M. -SPEAKER’S DESIGNATION – Pursuant to clause 3(b)(5) of Rule XI, the Chair announced the Speaker’s designation of the following Members to act in any proceeding of the Committee on Ethics relating to the Matter of Representative Maxine Waters: Messrs. Goodlatte, LaTourette, Simpson, Mrs. Capito, Messrs. Griffin of Arkansas and Sarbanes.11:41:36 A.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Jo Bonner, Chairman, Committee on Ethics. Pursuant to Rule XI, clause 3(b)(5) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Committee on Ethics Rule (9)(e) and with the unanimous approval of the Committee on Ethics, Chairman Bonner transmitted a written request for the appointment of six substitute Members, necessitated by voluntary recusals, to serve for any Committee proceeding related to the Matter of Representative Maxine Waters (the matter) currently before the Committee on Ethics.11:39:29 A.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.11:38:59 A.M. -H.R. 3630Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:38:59 A.M. -H.R. 3630On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 293 – 132 (Roll no. 72).11:14:48 A.M. -H.R. 3630The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.9:53:58 A.M. -H.R. 3630DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 3630.9:53:46 A.M. -H.R. 3630Mr. Camp brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-399 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 554.9:52:14 A.M. -H. Res. 554Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.9:52:08 A.M. -H. Res. 554On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.9:52:02 A.M. -H. Res. 554The previous question was ordered without objection.9:17:35 A.M. -H. Res. 554DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 554.9:16:43 A.M. -H. Res. 554Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 554 — “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3630) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes.”9:04:00 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.9:03:52 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Altmire to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:03:15 A.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Paulsen demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Paulsen objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.9:01:00 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:00 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.