Tag Archives: United States Senate

the Senate CONGRESS 12/26 the House

12/26/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will meet for a pro forma session only with no business conducted at 11:45am on Friday, January 3, 2014.

Additionally, only if the Senate does not receive a message that the House has adopted S.Con.Res.30, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will meet on the following dates and times:

– Tuesday, December 24^th at noon

– Friday, December 27^th at noon and

– Tuesday, December 31^st at noon

Schedule for Monday, January 6, 2014

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, January 6, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1845, the Unemployment Insurance Extension Act with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 3:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to resume consideration of Executive Calendar #452, the nomination of Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled in the usual form prior to a vote on confirmation of the Yellen nomination.

At 5:30pm, there will be 2 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Yellen nomination and

– Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1845, the Unemployment Extension Act.

====================================================

Last Floor Action:12/26
12:10:09 P.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to S. Con. Res. 30. The next meeting is
scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on January 3, 2014.

12:00:24 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:31 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Fred Upton to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:44 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend David Godleski, S.J., U.S. Jesuit Conference, Washington, DC.
12:02:17 P.M.		The Chair announced that pursuant to section 6(a) of H. Res. 438, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
12:02:25 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Hoyer to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:38 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 30	Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 30 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives.”
12:04:16 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 30	Prior to the adoption of S. Con. Res. 30, the Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of reservation of objection.
12:08:17 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 30	Mr. Hoyer subsequently withdrew his reservation of objection.
12:09:01 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 30	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
12:09:07 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 30	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:10:09 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to S. Con. Res. 30. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on January 3, 2014.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 12/23 the House

12/23/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will meet for a pro forma session only with no business conducted at 11:45am on Friday, January 3, 2014.

Additionally, only if the Senate does not receive a message that the House has adopted S.Con.Res.30, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will meet on the following dates and times:

– Tuesday, December 24^th at noon

– Friday, December 27^th at noon and

– Tuesday, December 31^st at noon

Schedule for Monday, January 6, 2014

At 5:30pm, there will be 2 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Yellen nomination and

– Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1845, the Unemployment Extension Act.

=====================================================

Last Floor Action:12/19
11:05:00 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438.

The next meeting is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2013.

10:00:32 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:48 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Fred Upton to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:06 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Eugene Hemrick, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
10:02:01 A.M.		The Chair announced that pursuant to section 6(a) of H. Res. 438, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
10:02:11 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Denham to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:58 A.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 20, 2013 at 3:07 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 3343 and H.R. 3487, and had agreed to S. Con. Res. 30.
10:03:33 A.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 20, 2013 at 9:50 a.m. stating that that body had concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3304, had passed S. 1614, H.R. 623, H.R. 767, and H.R. 2319; and agreed to H. Con. Res. 71. The message further announced appointments to the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission.
10:04:30 A.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 19, 2013 at 11:37 a.m. stating that that body had concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 59.
10:05:12 A.M.	S. 1614	Mr. Denham asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
10:05:12 A.M.	S. 1614	Considered by unanimous consent. S. 1614 — “To require Certificates of Citizenship and other Federal documents to reflect name and date of birth determinations made by a State court and for other purposes.”
10:05:41 A.M.	S. 1614	On passage Passed without objection.
10:05:45 A.M.	S. 1614	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:05:59 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 26, 2013.

================================================

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS the House

12/21/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will meet for a pro forma session only with no business conducted at 11:45am on Friday, January 3, 2014.

Additionally, only if the Senate does not receive a message that the House has adopted S.Con.Res.30, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will meet on the following dates and times:

– Tuesday, December 24^th at noon

– Friday, December 27^th at noon and

– Tuesday, December 31^st at noon

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, January 6, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1845, the Unemployment Insurance Extension Act with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 5:30pm, there will be 2 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Yellen nomination and

– Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1845, the Unemployment Extension Act.

=====================================================================

Last Floor Action:12/19
11:05:00 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438.

The next meeting is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2013.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 12/20 the House

12/20/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:00am on Friday, December 20, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, post-cloture. There will be one hour of post-cloture debate remaining, equally divided and controlled between Senators Carper and Coburn.

At approximately 10:15am, there will be 6 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Mayorkas nomination,

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue

– Confirmation of the Koskinen nomination

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida

– Confirmation of the Davis nomination and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

At approximately 10:03am this morning, there will be 6 roll call votes:

1) Confirmation of the Mayorkas nomination,

Live quorum

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue

3) Confirmation of the Koskinen nomination

Live quorum

4) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida

5) Confirmation of the Davis nomination and

Live quorum

6) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

9:45am The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, of DC, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; Confirmed: 54-41

10:22am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue; Invoked: 56-39

10:38am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Confirmed: 59-36

10:52am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida

Invoked: 56-36 with 2 Senators voting present

11:09am The Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida Confirmed: 68-26

11:25am The Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, the nomination of Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve;

Invoked: 59-34

Under the previous order, the vote on confirmation of the nomination will occur at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, on Monday, January 6, 2014.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Senator Durbin moved to proceed to Calendar #265, S.1845, A bill to provide for the extension of certain unemployment benefits, and for other purposes. He then filed cloture on the motion to proceed. Senators will be notified when the vote is scheduled.

Senator Schumer asked unanimous consent the Senate up and pass S.1882, a bill to extend the exclusion from income for employer-provided mass transit and parking benefit.

Senator Hatched asked the request be modified and that the bill be referred to the Finance Committee.

Senator Schumer objected to the modification and Senator Hatch objected to the original request.

Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent that all nominations received by the Senate during the 113^th Congress, First Session, remain in status quo notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 31, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Senator Graham objected.

By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed the following military nominations and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, and Navy:

AIR FORCE

#460 Brig. Gen. Paul S. Dwan – to be Major General

#461 To be Major General-

Brigadier General Catherine A. Chilton

Brigadier General Stayce D. Harris

Brigadier General William B. Waldrop, Jr.

Brigadier General Tommy J. Williams

#462 Col. Josef F. Schmid, III – to be Brigadier General

#463 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel Talentino C. Angelosante

Colonel James R. Barkley

Colonel Thomas G. Clark

Colonel Michael J. Cole

Colonel Samuel C. Mahaney

Colonel Brett J. McMullen

Colonel Jose R. Monteagudo

Colonel Randall A. Ogden

Colonel John P. Stokes

Colonel Stephen D. Vautrain

#464 Col. Stephen E. Rader – to be Brigadier General

#465 Col. Michael T. McGuire – to be Brigadier General

#466 Maj. Gen. John W. Raymond – to be Lieutenant General

ARMY

#467 Brigadier General Charles A. Flynn – to be Major General

#468 Lt. Gen. David G. Perkins – to be General

#469 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel James T. Iacocca

Colonel Daniel G. Mitchell

Colonel Kurt L. Sonntag

#470 Col. Anthony L. Hall – to be Brigadier General

#471 Col. Paul S. Wilson – to be Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps

#472 Maj. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell – to be Lieutenant General

#473 Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson – to be Lieutenant General

NAVY

#474 Rear Adm. (lh) Rebecca J. McCormick-Boyle – to be Rear Admiral

#475 Vice Adm. Michelle J. Howard – to be Admiral

#476 Adm. Mark E. Ferguson, III – to be Admiral

#477 Rear Adm. Joseph P. Mulloy – to be Vice Admiral

The Senate discharged the Commerce Committee from further consideration and confirmed the following nominations:

PN877 – To be Rear Admiral (Lower Half); Coast Guard

Capt. Francis S. Pelkowski

PN878 – All to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half); Coast Guard

Capt. Meredith L. Austin Capt. Peter W. Gautier Capt. Michael J. Haycock Capt. James M. Heinz Capt. Kevin E. Lunday Capt. Todd A. Sokalzuk Capt. Paul F. Thomas

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; Confirmed: 54-41

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue; Invoked: 56-39

3) Confirmation of the Koskinen nomination; Confirmed: 59-36

4) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida; Invoked: 56-36 (2 Present)

5) Confirmation of the Davis nomination; Confirmed: 68-26

6) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Invoked: 59-34

Legislative items

Passed H.R.3343, to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to clarify the rules regarding the determination of the compensation of the Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia.

Passed H.R.3487, the FEC Administrative Fines Program Extension.

Adopted S.Res.75, condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’l minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights with committee-reported amendments to the resolution and the preamble.

Adopted S.Res.325, designating the week of December 22 through December 28, 2013, as “National Toy Week”.

Adopted S.Res.326, Congratulating the 2013 Southern New Hampshire University men’s soccer team on winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Men’s Soccer Championship.

Adopted S.Res.327, Congratulating Sporting Kansas City for an outstanding 2013 season in Major League and for winning the Major League Soccer Cup 2013.

Adopted S.Con.Res.30, the adjournment resolution.

Completed the Rule 14 process of:

– S.1859, a bill to amend the internal revenue code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions and for other purposes. (Reid)

– S.1881, a bill to expand sanctions imposed with respect to Iran and to impose additional sanctions with respect to Iran and for other purposes. (Menendez)

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2109, to eliminate taxpayer financing of political party conventions and reprogram savings to provide for a 10-year pediatric research initiative through the Common Fund administered by the National Institutes of Health, and for other purposes.

Indefinitely postponed H.Con.Res.72, Providing for corrections to the enrollment of H.J.Res.59 and H.R.219, the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013.

Executive items

Discharged the Commerce Committee and confirmed:

PN877 – To be Rear Admiral (Lower Half); Coast Guard

Capt. Francis S. Pelkowski

PN878 – All to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half); Coast Guard

Capt. Meredith L. Austin

Capt. Peter W. Gautier

Capt. Michael J. Haycock

Capt. James M. Heinz

Capt. Kevin E. Lunday

Capt. Todd A. Sokalzuk

Capt. Paul F. Thomas

Confirmed all nominations on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army and Navy and the following items:

AIR FORCE

#460 Brig. Gen. Paul S. Dwan – to be Major General

#461 To be Major General-

Brigadier General Catherine A. Chilton

Brigadier General Stayce D. Harris

Brigadier General William B. Waldrop, Jr.

Brigadier General Tommy J. Williams

#462 Col. Josef F. Schmid, III – to be Brigadier General

#463 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel Talentino C. Angelosante

Colonel James R. Barkley

Colonel Thomas G. Clark

Colonel Michael J. Cole

Colonel Samuel C. Mahaney

Colonel Brett J. McMullen

Colonel Jose R. Monteagudo

Colonel Randall A. Ogden

Colonel John P. Stokes

Colonel Stephen D. Vautrain

#464 Col. Stephen E. Rader – to be Brigadier General

#465 Col. Michael T. McGuire – to be Brigadier General

#466 Maj. Gen. John W. Raymond – to be Lieutenant General

ARMY

#467 Brigadier General Charles A. Flynn – to be Major General

#468 Lt. Gen. David G. Perkins – to be General

#469 To be Brigadier General-

Colonel James T. Iacocca

Colonel Daniel G. Mitchell

Colonel Kurt L. Sonntag

#470 Col. Anthony L. Hall – to be Brigadier General

#471 Col. Paul S. Wilson – to be Brigadier General, Judge Advocate General’s Corps

#472 Maj. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell – to be Lieutenant General

#473 Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson – to be Lieutenant General

NAVY

#474 Rear Adm. (lh) Rebecca J. McCormick-Boyle – to be Rear Admiral

#475 Vice Adm. Michelle J. Howard – to be Admiral

#476 Adm. Mark E. Ferguson, III – to be Admiral

#477 Rear Adm. Joseph P. Mulloy – to be Vice Admiral

======================================================

Last Floor Action:12/19
11:05:00 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438.

The next meeting is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2013.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 12/19 the House

12/19/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, December 19, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act, post-cloture.

All time during adjournment will count post-cloture on the motion to concur with respect to NDAA. Roll call votes are possible throughout the day. Senators will be notified when they are scheduled.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1859, submitted earlier today by Senator Reid. The bill includes the following provisions:

– an extension of a provision to exclude mortgage debt forgiveness from taxable income;

– deductions for state and local sales taxes, qualified tuition expenses for students, and classroom expenses that teachers pay for out of their own pockets;

– a commuter benefit that helps workers who take mass transit to their jobs every day;

– the New Markets Tax Credit and the Low Income Housing Credit;

– tax benefits to encourage investment in our nation’s infrastructure, such as the Short Line Rail Tax Credit; provisions that encourage the development of renewable energy technology, including the production tax credit for wind, as well as credits to promote the development of biofuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and energy-efficient buildings; and

– tax incentives for small and large businesses, including Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation and the R&D credit;

Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified and that the pending cloture motions on Executive nominations be withdrawn; and that following disposition of the Defense Authorization bill, the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R.2668, and that the text of S.1859 be the first amendment in order, and that the Majority and Minority sides then be recognized to offer amendments in an alternating fashion.

Senator Reid objected and Senator McConnell objected to the original request.

The Senate has resumed consideration of the House Message on H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act, post-cloture. If all time is used, at approximately 11:14pm tonight the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to H.R.3304, NDAA (passage).

As a reminder, on Monday Senator Reid filed cloture on several Executive nominations. Upon disposition of the Defense bill, there will be a live quorum prior to a cloture vote on the Mayorkas nominations. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the Mayorkas nomination, there will be a mandatory live quorum prior to a cloture vote on the Koskinen nomination. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

We’ll repeat the general sequence of a live quorum (unless we obtain consent to waive the quorum), a cloture vote, some debate time, and then confirmation vote until we’ve worked through the nominations listed below.

Senators will be notified if an agreement can be reached and the schedule changes, but at this time senators should be prepared for 2 votes at approximately 11:14pm. Additional procedural votes are possible today and during the voting sequence. Senators are encouraged to be on the floor for the live quorums so that a quorum can be established quickly.

11:14pm votes:

1) Adoption of the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to H.R.3304, NDAA (passage)

Live quorum

2) Cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security

(up to 8 hours equally divided)

3) Confirmation of Mayorkas nomination

Live quorum

4) Cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Andrew Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service.

(8 hours equally divided)

5) Confirmation of Koskinen nomination

Live quorum

6) Cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian J. Davis, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the District of Florida

(2 hours equally divided)

7) Confirmation of Davis nomination

Live quorum

8) Cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet L. Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

(30 hours)

9) Confirmation of Yellen nomination

Live quorum

10) Cloture on Executive Calendar #455, Sloan D. Gibson, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(8 hours equally divided)

11) Confirmation of Gibson nomination

Live quorum

12) Cloture on Executive Calendar #445, Sarah Sewall, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civility Security, Democracy, and Human Rights)

(8 hours equally divided)

13) Confirmation of Sewall nomination

Live quorum

14) Cloture on Executive Calendar #371, Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior

(8 hours equally divided)

15) Confirmation of Connor nomination

Live quorum

16) Cloture on Executive Calendar #457, Sarah Bloom Raskin, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

(8 hours equally divided)

17) Confirmation of Raskin nomination

Live quorum

18) Cloture on Executive Calendar #356, Jessica Garfola Wright, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

(8 hours equally divided)

19) Confirmation of Wright nomination

Live quorum

20) Cloture on Executive Calendar #189, Richard Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

(8 hours equally divided)

21) Confirmation of Engler nomination

The Senate will recess from 12:45pm until 2:15pm. The time will count against post-cloture debate on NDAA.

The time from 2:15 until 2:35pm will be controlled by the Majority Leader, or his designee, and the time from 2:35pm until 3:15pm will be controlled by the Republican Leader, or his designee.

At 3:15pm, we expect Senator Cornyn to make a motion to table with respect to the Defense bill in order to offer an amendment.

Expected 3:15pm vote:

– Cornyn motion to table the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3304, with Reid amendment #2552.

Senator Reed (RI) asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #265, S.1845, a bill to extend unemployment insurance benefits for 3 months.

Senator Cornyn asked that the request be modified that that all pending cloture motions on Executive nominations be withdrawn, and that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S.1845, and that the Majority Leader and Minority Leader be recognized to offer amendments in an alternating fashion.

Senator Reed declined to modify his request and Senator Cornyn objected to the original request.

Senator Cornyn asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending motion to concur with Reid #2552 amendment in order to make a motion to concur with Cornyn amendment #2606 (to provide for the award of medals for members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense who were killed or wounded in an attack perpetrated by a homegrown violent extremist who was inspired or motivated by a foreign terrorist organization.

Senator Levin objected.

Cornyn parliamentary inquiry #1: is it correct that no senator is permitted to offer an amendment to the House passed Defense bill while the Majority Leader’s motion to concur with a further amendment is pending?

Chair: The senator is correct

Cornyn parliamentary inquiry #2: If a motion to table the Reid motion to concur with a further amendment is successful, would there be an opportunity to offer my amendment #2602?

Chair: The senator is correct.

Senator Cornyn then moved to table the pending Reid motion to concur with a further amendment.

3:29pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Cornyn motion to table the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3304, National Defense Authorization Act;

Not Tabled: 45-55

The News

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today:

“Republicans owe an apology to the more than one million Americans whose unemployment insurance will expire due to Republican gridlock and obstruction. In the past, Democrats and Republicans have worked together to extend unemployment insurance for those still looking for work. Sadly, Republicans have now decided that they would rather let this program expire than cooperate with Democrats.

“With just a little cooperation, we could complete all of the work before us and vote to extend unemployment benefits before Christmas Eve. Without Republican cooperation, we cannot. I hope my Republican colleagues will change course, and put the millions of Americans who are struggling this holiday season ahead of partisan gridlock. If Republicans choose to continue their obstruction, I will ensure that extending unemployment insurance is the first thing we vote on after the holiday.

“Congress is finishing this year less popular than a cockroach, and this kind of mindless, knee-jerk obstruction from Republicans is exactly why.”

The Senate has reached an agreement with respect to several nominations. Under the unanimous consent agreement, there will be 2 roll call votes at 11:14pm this evening, 6 roll call votes at 10:00am Friday and one roll call vote at a time to be determined on Monday, January 6^th. The details of the agreement are below.

Today, Thursday, December 19^th at 11:15pm, 2 Roll Call Votes:

– Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

Following the cloture vote on the Mayorkas nomination, the Senate will be in period of morning business for debate only with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

When the Senate convenes on Friday, December 20^th, all but one hour of post-cloture debate will be expired with the one remaining hour equally divided and controlled between Senators Carper and Coburn.

Friday at approximately 10:15am, 6 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Mayorkas nomination,

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue

– Confirmation of the Koskinen nomination

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida

– Confirmation of the Davis nomination and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Monday, January 6^th at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader:

– Confirmation of the Yellen nomination.

The cloture motions on the following nominations were withdrawn:

– Executive Calendar #455, Sloan D. Gibson, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs

– Executive Calendar #445, Sarah Sewall, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civility Security, Democracy, and Human Rights)

– Executive Calendar #371, Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior

– Executive Calendar #457, Sarah Bloom Raskin, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

– Executive Calendar #356, Jessica Garfola Wright, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

– Executive Calendar #189, Richard Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

11:14pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act.

Agreed to: 84-15

11:38pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

Invoked: 55-45