Tag Archives: United States Senate

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF … &some News


just another rant …

The weather is just as mad as what is going on politically No.

With a couple of weeks into March, the countdown to March Madness … the NCAA championships has begun unless you are living under a rock. I was psyched about the tournament until the sad news that the Huskies would not be going to the big dance, but good to know that Gonzaga would be though. Gonzaga is not considered a threat Washington State is proud that they won their first game 74 – 54 WVU. The fun sort of fell out when band members from Mississippi were reported shouting racist things at a NCAA player named Angel; Angel is Puerto Rican and while he holding it down this band members shouted,”where is your green card”. I have to say that our young people learn from various sources one being home school and our environment. If this happened here, these kids would be suspended from band as they are representatives of their school, some probably have scholarships and could be revoked if due process is implemented. Where is the outrage?  Payback came when Angel Rodriguez was the guy who helped his team win. So, let the madness commence. The crazy climate (changes) around the country should have all of our attention yet Republican politicians that “We the People” pay to do our business are climate deniers, evolution deniers and apparently, they deplore jobs bills, specifically #theAmericansJOBsACT. They continue, if you hadn’t noticed to ignore the President’s bills creating their own that obviously scale back progress, include nasty pills that hurt seniors, minorities, immigration, gays, women and voter rights. If you have been watching closely, Republicans on both the state and federal level have been playing a nasty game with the lives of so many Americans; creating and passing bills that will screw Americans on the State level or will never pass in the U.S. Senate. If it is not already obvious, Republicans do not have your best interests in mind. End Scene … imagine – a camera does a 360 with a wide shot of several women Senators from any state clearly flummoxed about Conscience versus Contraceptive rights, the VAWA and several other bills waging War on Women. What ensue are several weeks of vulgar vile and nasty bills forcing Women into 2nd Class citizenship in at least 30 states. This new reality is happening in the right month though. As the madness on the Senate floor reaches a new low with bills against contraceptives, women, minority’s seniors and student’s debates votes taken on S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill passes 74 – 22 but remember “as amended” with more amendments than some want. The question is will House Republicans do what is right or avoid the bill while time runs out on great construction jobs. There are just about 2weeks left to pass S.1813; if you have time call a member of Congress to let them know a vote against this bill is an expression against America.

In 2010, President Obama was in Philadelphia right around now talking about what HCR will do for everyone, what the exchanges will offer when implemented. Though, if you listened to the Media garbage back then, we were supposed to believe that it is his last ditch effort to push, jam, ram and or dupe Senators to get HCR through; contrary to what Republicans and or “the Media” says the debate on HCR took longer than a year. I don’t know about you but that hardly qualifies for ramming or rushing in my opinion. The biggest issue for me about HCR was that Congress did not listen to the people and of course, “the media” kept the public from hearing all of what HCR could do for you personally. Now, with staff shake-ups we find out that FOX was NOT the only station with a strategy to limit the information “We the People” received by station bigwigs like Murdoch and the Koch brothers. Finding out that the 24/7 news cycle is actually manipulated should make us all give pause and question what we see or hear on the television machine.

On March 26, the Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments to the Affordable Care Act. FYI, the Affordable Care Act case, scheduled to last for 3 days and we all need to demand access to the case.

Calling March mad because of college basketball is an established thing but considering the madness in the political air lately but the behavior from Republican members of Congress will probably make us all go beyond mad if they keep voting to repeal, eliminate, and replace all things public service only to privatize it all.

 FYI Republicans,  Women are not 2nd class citizens; we have jobs,  handle our own businesses and our families needs.  The idea that a group of socially conservative people have gone out of their way to misinform Americans including some smart folks are in positions of creating ludicrous laws while on the floor of Congress on both the State and Federal level and it should raise the outrage on all people who are sane – The War on Women is not silly

 

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House the Senate considers HR3606,Capitol Formation/IPO bill and Judicial nominees


the Senate Convened at 9:30amET March 15, 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 time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half hour and the Republicans controlling the second half hour.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.3606, the Capital Formation bill.
  • At 1:45pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations with 15 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees:

At 1:45pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations with 15 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees:

– Cal. #408, Gina Marie Groh, of West Virginia, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia

– Cal. #461, Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Upon the use or yielding back of time (approximately 2:00pm), there will be 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above.

The following amendments are pending to H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill:

  • Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown(OH) amendment #1833 (substitute)
  • Reid amendment #1834 (date change)
  • Reid amendment #1835 (date change) to amendment #1834
  • Cantwell-Johnson-Graham-Shelby, et al, amendment #1836 (Ex-Im Bank)
  • Motion to commit H.R.3606 with instructions (date change)
  • Reid amendment #1839 to the instructions (date change)
  • Reid amendment #1840 to amendment #1839 (date change)

2:02 pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Gina Marie Groh, of WV, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia; Confirmed: 95-2

2:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of CA, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California; Confirmed: 91-6

There will be no further roll call votes this week.

Senators should expect the next roll call vote on Tuesday, March 20th prior to the weekly caucus meetings.

TODAY’S ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Confirmation of the nomination of Gina Marie Groh, of WV, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia; Confirmed: 95-2

2) Confirmation of the nomination of Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of CA, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California; Confirmed: 91-6

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Agriculture Committee and passed H.R.473, the Help to Access Land for the Education (HALE) of Scouts Act.

Discharged the Banking Committee and passed H.R.886, the United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act with a Boozman-Pryor amendment.

Adopted S.Res.398, Recognizing the 191st anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American Democracy.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2191, to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility reglations relation to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities (DeMint).

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to the Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown (OH), et al, substitute amendment #1833 and H.R.3630 is 4:00pm on Monday, March 19th.

If your Senator has a germane first degree amendment and 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.

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 The next in the House  meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 16, 2012.

Black History

Congress: Republicans in the House – the Senate led by Democrats passes S.1813 74-22


 the Senate Convened at 9:30amET March 14, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, there will be one hour of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first half and the Majority will control the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, Surface Infrastructure, with the time until 11:30am equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or designees.
  • At 11:30am, we expect 3 roll call votes in relation to the following items:
  • Boxer amendment #1816 (SoS emergency exemptions),
  • Paul amendment #1556 (emergency exemptions), and
  • Passage of S.1813, as amended.
  • Upon disposition of the transportation bill, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 2:00pm with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 2:00pm the Senate will proceed to Executive Session with 30 minutes for debate equally divided prior to the cloture vote on the Groh nomination (Executive Calendar #408).
  • At 2:30pm there will be up to 17 cloture votes on judicial nominations, unless an agreement on nominations can be reached.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for 1 hour. Following morning business (approx. 10:36am), we will resume consideration of S.1813, Surface Transportation, with the time until 11:30am equally divided.

The only remaining first degree amendments in order to the transportation bill are the ones listed below. At 11:30am, we expect to have roll call votes on Boxer #1816, Paul #1556, and passage of 1813, Surface Transportation, as amended. I’ve noted what we expect to happen on the remaining amendments below.

– Corker #1810 (fail by voice vote)

– Carper #1670 (may make a statement, but is not expected to offer)

– Hutchison #1568 (may make a statement, but is not expected to offer)

– McCain #1669, as modified (will be withdrawn—included in the managers’ package)

– Alexander #1779 (pass by voice vote)

– Boxer #1816 (roll call vote)

– Paul #1556 (roll call vote)

– Shaheen #1678 (included in managers’ package, will not be offered)

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); withdrawn
  • Reid motion to commit with instructions (date change); withdrawn
  • Reid amendment #1636 to the motion to commit (date change); withdrawn
  • Reid amendment #1637 to #1636 (date change); withdrawn
  • Blunt amendment #1520 (moral objections to health care services); Tabled: 51-48
  • Reid amendment #1730 (Banking, Finance and Commerce titles); withdrawn
  • Reid amendment #1761; Agreed to by UC
  • Vitter amendment #1535 (OCS) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 44-54
  • Baucus amendment #1825 (Rural Schools) (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 82-16
  • Collins amendment #1660 (Boiler MACT) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-46
  • Coburn amendment #1738 (OMB/Duplicative Programs) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-46
  • Nelson(FL) amendment #1822 (RESTORE) (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 76-22
  • Wyden amendment #1817 (Keystone Pipeline) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 33-65
  • Hoeven amendment #1537 (Keystone Pipeline) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 56-42
  • Levin amendment #1818 (offshore tax havens); Agreed to by voice vote
  • DeMint amendment #1756 (state discretionary authority); Not Agreed To: 30-67
  • Bingaman amendment #1759 (privatized highways); Agreed To: 50-47
  • Roberts amendment #1826 (ANWAR,Keystone, etc.) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 41-57
  • Stabenow amendment #1812 (energy tax extenders) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 49-49
  • DeMint amendment #1589 (repeal of energy tax subsidies) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 26-72
  • Menendez-Burr amendment #1782 (natural gas) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 51-47
  • Coats amendment #1517 (Apportionment formula); Not Agreed To: 28-70
  • Brown(OH) amendment #1819 (Buy America); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Blunt amendment #1540 (Off system bridges); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Klobuchar amendment #1617 (Ag transportation); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Portman amendment #1736 (gas tax flexibility); Not Agreed to: 30-68
  • Corker amendment #1785, as modified (discretionary spending cap adjustment); Fell when the Budget Act was Not Waived: 40-58
  • Portman amendment #1742 (rest areas); Not Agreed to: 12-86
  • McCain amendment #1669, as modified (Grand Canyon noise abatement); Withdrawn
  • Corker amendment #1810 (limitation on expenditures); Not agreed to by voice vote
  • Alexander amendment #1779 (over-flights of national parks); Agreed to by voice vote

11:37am The Senate began a roll call vote on Boxer amendment #1816 (SoS on expedited emergency environmental reviews)

11:37am The Senate began a roll call vote on Boxer amendment #1816 (SoS on expedited emergency environmental reviews); Agreed To: 76-20

12:10pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Paul motion to waive Budget Act with respect to Paul amendment #1556 (environmental waivers); Not Waived: 42-54

12:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill; Passed: 74-22

By consent, the cloture motions on the judges were vitiated. As a result, we will not have any votes at 2:30pm today. Senator Reid intends to turn to H.R.3606, the IPO bill, next.

Cloture was vitiated on the following nominations:

Cal.#408, Gina Marie Groh, of West Virginia;

Cal.#441, David Nuffer, of Utah;

Cal.#461, Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of California;

Cal.#462, Ronnie Abrams, of New York;

Cal.#463, Rudolph Contreras, of Virginia;

Cal.#464, Miranda Du, of Nevada;

Cal.#497, Susie Morgan, of Louisiana;

Cal.#509, Gregg Jeffrey Costa, of Texas;

Cal.#510, David Campos Guaderrama, of Texas;

Cal.#528, Brian C. Wimes, of Missouri;

Cal.#568, Kristine Gerhard Baker, of Arkansas;

Cal.#569, John Z. Lee, of Illinois;

Cal.#570, George Levi Russell, III, of Maryland;

Cal.#571, John J. Tharp, Jr., of Illinois;

Cal.#610, Jeffrey J. Helmick, of Ohio;

Cal.#612, Mary Geiger Lewis, of South Carolina; and

Cal.#613, Timothy S. Hillman, of Massachusetts

The previous order to proceed to Executive Session at 2pm has been vitiated.

The Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each and the time equally divided.

 At 1:45pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations with 15 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees:

  • Cal. #408, Gina Marie Groh, of West Virginia, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia
  • Cal. #461, Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Upon the use or yielding back of time (approximately 2:00pm), there will be 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Boxer amendment #1816 (SoS emergency exemptions); Agreed To: 76-20

2) Motion to Waive the Budget Act with respect to the Paul amendment #1556 (emergency exemptions); Not Agreed To: 42-54

3) Passage of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill, as amended; Passed: 74-22

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.396, supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2191, to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility reglations relation to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities (DeMint).

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 16, 2012.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate resumes S.1813,the Surface Transportation Act-several votes on Tuesday


 

the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET March 12, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation Act. As previously announced, there will be no roll call votes on Monday. Senators should expect several votes beginning Tuesday morning in order to complete action on the Transportation bill.

Today Senator Reid filed cloture on the following 17 Judicial nominations. Under the rule, the first vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, March 14.

Cal.#408, Gina Marie Groh, of West Virginia;

Cal.#441, David Nuffer, of Utah;

Cal.#461, Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of California;

Cal.#462, Ronnie Abrams, of New York;

Cal.#463, Rudolph Contreras, of Virginia;

Cal.#464, Miranda Du, of Nevada;

Cal.#497, Susie Morgan, of Louisiana;

Cal.#509, Gregg Jeffrey Costa, of Texas;

Cal.#510, David Campos Guaderrama, of Texas;

Cal.#528, Brian C. Wimes, of Missouri;

Cal.#568, Kristine Gerhard Baker, of Arkansas;

Cal.#569, John Z. Lee, of Illinois;

Cal.#570, George Levi Russell, III, of Maryland;

Cal.#571, John J. Tharp, Jr., of Illinois;

Cal.#610, Jeffrey J. Helmick, of Ohio;

Cal.#612, Mary Geiger Lewis, of South Carolina; and

Cal.#613, Timothy S. Hillman, of Massachusetts

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Judiciary committee from further consideration of and adopted S.Res.310, A resolution designating 2012 as the “Year of the Girl” and Congratulating Girl Scouts of the USA on its 100th anniversary.

Adopted S.Res.394, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification and the beginning of warm and abiding relations between the people of the United States and Italy.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.3606, Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (Republican request)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2186, to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities. (DeMint)

 

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

There will be no roll call votes on Monday, March 12, 2012.

There will be no roll call votes on Monday, March 19. 2012

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2012.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, March 5, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes on Monday, March 5.

On Friday, Senator Reid filed cloture on the Reid amendment #1761 and S.1813, Surface Transportation bill. At 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 6, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1761.

At 2:15pm on Tuesday, March 6, there will be 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

– Cal #439 Mary Elizabeth Phillips, of Missouri, to be US District Judge for the Western District of Missouri

– Cal #440 Thomas Owen Rice, of Washington, to be District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.

The filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.1813 is 4:00pm on Monday, March 5.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to Reid amendment #1761 and S.1813 is 4:00pm Tuesday, March 6.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.2153, a bill to apply the countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to nonmarket economies and for other purposes.  When the Senate receives H.R.4105 from the House and if it is identical to S.2153, the Senate will pass H.R.4105 with no amendments.

Discharged Foreign Relations and Adopted S.Res.386, calling for free and fair elections in Iran.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.1837, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 5, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

.  -The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 6, 2012.8:07:56 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.8:07:32 P.M. -Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.7:07:31 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.6:59:15 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.6:58:01 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 36Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:58:00 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 36On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.6:57:13 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 36Considered by unanimous consent. S. Con. Res. 36 — “To authorize the use of the rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in connection with the proceedings and ceremonies conducted for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States.”6:57:13 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 36Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.6:57:12 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 35Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:57:11 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 35On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.6:56:45 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 35Considered by unanimous consent. S. Con. Res. 35 — “To establish the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States on January 21, 2013.”6:56:45 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 35Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.6:56:29 P.M. -H.R. 3637Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:56:28 P.M. -H.R. 3637On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 362 – 2 (Roll no. 95).6:32:27 P.M. -H.R. 3637Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3637 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 Old Dixie Highway in Jupiter, Florida, as the “Roy Schallern Rood Post Office Building”.”6:32:13 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:31:40 P.M. -Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 570.6:30:09 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 5.5:29:35 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today.5:29:01 P.M. -S. 1710Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:28:58 P.M. -S. 1710On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.5:21:19 P.M. -S. 1710DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1710.5:21:18 P.M. -S. 1710Considered under suspension of the rules.5:21:00 P.M. -S. 1710Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1710 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, as the James M. Fitzgerald United States Courthouse.”5:19:00 P.M. -H.R. 3413Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:18:53 P.M. -H.R. 3413On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.5:10:16 P.M. -H.R. 3413Considered under suspension of the rules.5:10:02 P.M. -H.R. 3413Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3413 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the “Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office”.”5:10:00 P.M. -H.R. 3413DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3413.5:09:22 P.M. -H.R. 3637At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.5:00:53 P.M. -H.R. 3637DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3637.5:00:51 P.M. -H.R. 3637Considered under suspension of the rules.5:00:36 P.M. -H.R. 3637Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3637 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 Old Dixie Highway in Jupiter, Florida, as the “Roy Schallern Rood Post Office Building”.”5:00:27 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.5:00:16 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 5.2:16:38 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 P.M. today.2:14:24 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions is to continue in effect beyond March 6, 2012. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-92).2:13:42 P.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 2, 2012, at 10:18 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to S. Con. Res. 35 and S. Con. Res. 36.2:05:02 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:04:03 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:04:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:02:35 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:31 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 5.12:09:35 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  2:00 P.M. today.12:05:00 P.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.12:04:25 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:04:10 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.