The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET December 7, 2010

At 10:00am there will be a live quorum to begin the Court of Impeachment for the trial of G. Thomas Porteous. Senators are asked to be on the floor at 10:00am.

At 12:30pm, the Senate will proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business with Senator LeMieux recognized to speak for up to 15 minutes. Following his remarks, the Senate will recess until 12:45pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

There will be two additional live quorums with respect to the Court of Impeachment, one at 2:30pm and another at 5:30pm.

Court of Impeachment:
At 10:00am on Tuesday, December 7, the Senate will resume consideration of the articles of impeachment against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana for the commencement of arguments by the House Managers and counsel for Judge Porteous on motions filed by Judge Porteous with regard to the impeachment articles. The Secretary is instructed to notify the House of Representatives.

Each side will be permitted no more than one hour for arguments on all motions, counsel for Judge Porteous will be permitted to open and close the motions argument, and the parties are permitted to divide their arguments on the motions as they wish.

After recessing for the weekly party caucuses (12:45pm until 2:30pm), the Senate will reconvene on the articles of impeachment at 2:30pm for the parties’ final arguments on the merits of the articles. There will be a live quorum at 2:30pm to resume the Court of Impeachment. Each party will have 1 ½ hours to present argument on all four articles, which, under the impeachment rules, will be opened and closed by the House Managers, with no more than two individuals speaking for each side.

At the conclusion of the three hours allotted for final arguments, the Senate shall immediately meet in closed session to begin its deliberations on the articles of impeachment and the related motions in accord with impeachment Rule XX.

Senators are encouraged to be in the Senate Chamber tomorrow at 10:00am when a live quorum will begin, just prior to the commencement of the impeachment proceedings. This is an important constitutional part of each Senator’s responsibilities, and each Senator has an obligation to the participants in the case and to his or her office to be present and informed and participate.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3199, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act.

Passed S.3984, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.2480, Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.6184, a bill to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to extend and modify the program allowing the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the evaluation of permits, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Res.696, a resolution making minority party committee appointments.

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET December 7, 2010

. 7:08 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:07 P.M. –

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 14: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 13: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 9: Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 8: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min.

6:54 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

6:49 P.M. –

NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Ms. Waters notified the House of her intent to offer a privileged resolution. Ms. Waters was recognized to notice the form of her proposed resolution.

H. Res. 1264:

expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

6:47 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 – 1 (Roll no. 610).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:38 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1642:

recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day

6:37 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 – 0 (Roll no. 609).

6:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 6400:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office”

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 – 0 (Roll no. 608).

6:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:01 P.M. –

Mr. Perlmutter filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1752.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 7.

5:19 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H.R. 6412:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to require the Attorney General to share criminal records with State sentencing commissions, and for other purposes

5:18 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6412.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 3353:

to provide for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas to be treated as States for certain criminal justice programs

5:11 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3353.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 3998:

to extend the Child Safety Pilot Program

5:01 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

4:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3998.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1540:

supporting the goal of eradicating illicit marijuana cultivation on Federal lands and calling on the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a coordinated strategy to permanently dismantle Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating on Federal lands

4:50 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

4:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1540.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 3987:

to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to the applicability of identity theft guidelines to creditors

4:30 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

4:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3987.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Adler (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Con. Res. 267:

congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence

4:23 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

4:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 267.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1751:

mourning the loss of life and expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2, 2010

4:15 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

4:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1751.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1717:

congratulating imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize

4:07 P.M. –

At 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.

3:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1717.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1402:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and expressing support for designation of February 16, 2011, as “Citizen Diplomacy Day”

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Klein (FL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

3:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1402.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1704:

honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Klein (FL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

3:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1704.

3:05 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1531:

expressing support for designation of 2011 as “World Veterinary Year” to bring attention to and show appreciation for the veterinary profession on its 250th anniversary

3:04 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Clay objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

2:53 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1531.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1264:

expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

At 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.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1264.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1727:

recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world and commending members on their dedication to the mission and principles of their organization

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1727.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1642:

recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day

2:37 P.M. –

At 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.

2:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1642.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6400:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office”

2:25 P.M. –

At 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.

2:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6400.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1687:

recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1687.

2:11 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

2:05 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 7, 2010, at 9:50 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to H.Con.Res. 259 and passed S. 4010.

2:04 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 6, 2010, at 1:24 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 6399, S. 3860 and S. 3817.

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 3, 2010, at 4:15 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3237, H.R. 5281 with amendments, S. 1774 and S. 124.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:03 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.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 7.

12:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:31 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.

12:30 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Sam Farr to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day