Tag Archives: vote

Thursday debates/votes in Congress

05/27/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET May 27, 2010

Things that might be on the Floor today …UI benefits, Medicare payments to Doctors, Defense, DADT and JOBS

House Democrats say they have the votes to pass their new campaign finance reform bill. The bill, known as the DISCLOSE Act, now has 114 co-sponsors and will be voted on either at the end of this week or after the Memorial Day weekend and Senate Armed Services Committee member Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) will support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” he announced last night. Byrd’s support was won with the insertion of language that would “give Congress an additional 60 days to thoroughly review the implementation policy once certified.”

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of HR4899, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations. There will be up to 20 minutes for debate prior to a series of votes.

The Senate has reached the following agreement.

The Senate is now voting on the DeMint motion to Suspend the rules in order to consider the DeMint amendment #4177. No amendment s are in order to the motion. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote with respect to the DeMint motion to suspend. If the DeMint motion to suspend is not agreed to, then no further amendments or motions on the subject of the DeMint motion be in order.

There will then be up to 2 minutes for debate equally divided between Senators Collins and Boxer prior to a vote in relation to the Collins amendment #4253 (EPA lead ruling). No amendments are in order to the Collins amendment prior to a vote.

Upon disposition of the Collins amendment, there will be up to 8 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to the following amendments:

– Inouye #4299 (Filipino Veterans)
– Burr #4273 (Filipino Veterans)

Upon disposition of the Inouye and Burr amendments, the remaining pending amendments will be withdrawn. No further amendments are in order, expect for a managers’ amendment which has been cleared by the managers and leaders. If offered, the amendment will be considered and agreed.

All post-cloture debate time will be yielded back and without further intervening action or debate the substitute amendment, as amended, will be agreed to. The Senate will then proceed to vote on passage of HR4899, as amended.

Upon passage, the Senate will insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the 2 houses, and the Chair authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate, with the Appropriations Committee appointed as conferees.

The cloture motion on the bill is withdrawn.

After these votes, there will be no further votes this week. We expect the House to send us Tax Extenders in pieces late tonight. If that is the case, we would consider Extenders when we return on Monday, June 7th. Senators have expressed interest in considering amendments to the bill and we would not be able to reach an agreement this week.

Votes:

165: Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the McCain amendment #4241: ;
Not Waived: 51-46

166: Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Kyl #4228, as modified (Courthouse funding);
Not Waived: 54-44

167: Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Cornyn #4202, as modified (border security);
Not Waived: 54-43

168: Feingold amendment #4204: (report of Afghanistan drawdown);
Not agreed to: 18-80

169: Inouye Motion to Table Coburn amendment #4231: (offset including real property);
Tabled: 53-45

170: Now Voting on Inouye Motion to Table Coburn amendment #4232: (offset with spending cuts);
Tabled: 50-47

171: Now Voting on Motion to Invoke Cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to HR4899, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations
Invoked: 69-29

172: Now voting on the DeMint motion to suspend the rules in order to consider the DeMint amendment #4177: (border fence)

173: Collins amendment #4253: (EPA lead ruling)
Agreed To: 60-37
(8 minutes for debate)

174: Inouye amendment #4299: (Filipino Veterans)
Agreed To: 60-35

175: Burr amendment #4273: (Filipino Veterans);
Not Agreed To: 37-58

176: Passage of HR4899, as amended, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations;
Passed: 67-28

Unanimous Consent:
Passed HR5330, a bill to amend the Antitrust Criminal Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004

Adopted S.Res.542, a resolution designating June 20, 2010, as “American Eagle Day”

Adopted S.Res.543, a resolution expressing support for the designation of a “National Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month”

Adopted S.Res.544, a resolution supporting increased access for exports of United States beef and beef products

Adopted S.Res.545, a resolution authorizing the production of records by the permanent subcommittee on Investigations

Adopted H.Con.Res.282, Adjournment Resolution

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10amET May 27, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 27, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

11:06 P.M. –

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

11:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.The House received a communication from the Honorable Mr. Shuster . Mr. Shuster notified the House of his intent to resign from the Committee on Armed Services. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 5136:: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5136 as unfinished business.

11:03 P.M. –

On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.Mr. Skelton moved that the Committee now rise.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Skelton en bloc amendments, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Skelton demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Skelton en bloc amendments No. 9.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 8, 15, 30, 32, as modified, 55, 61, 64, 66, 67, 74, and 77 printed in House Report 111-498.

10:38 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Shea-Porter amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Shea-Porter demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Shea-Porter amendment No. 81.Amendment offered by Ms. Shea-Porter.

: An amendment numbered 81 printed in House Report 111-498 to require a penalty for prime contractors that do not provide information to databases on contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it adds a reporting requirement. The penalty would withhold award and incentive fee payments.

On agreeing to the Teague amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Teague amendment No. 68.Amendment offered by Mr. Teague.

: An amendment numbered 68 printed in House Report 111-498 to provide health insurance to dependents of permanently and totally disabled veterans, as well as veterans who died from serviced connected disabilities, through the age of 26. Currently under CHAMPVA, which is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), coverage can only be provided to dependent children up to the age of 23.

10:31 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Skelton amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

10:20 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Skelton en bloc amendments No. 8.

10:19 P.M. –

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 56, 58, 59, 65, 69, 71, 76, and 78 printed in House Report 111-498.

10:18 P.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

10:17 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5136 as unfinished business.On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.

10:16 P.M. –

Mr. Skelton moved that the Committee now rise.On agreeing to the Sarbanes amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 253 – 172 (Roll no. 318).

10:08 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Murphy, Patrick amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 234 – 194 (Roll no. 317).

9:51 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Pingree (ME) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 193 – 231, 3 Present (Roll no. 316).

9:35 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Eshoo amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 – 210 (Roll no. 315).

9:26 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Gutierrez amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 372 – 52 (Roll no. 314).

9:18 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Inslee amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 410 – 8 (Roll no. 313).

8:52 P.M. –

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

8:51 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Patrick Murphy (PA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McKeon demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

8:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Patrick Murphy (PA) amendment No. 79.Amendment offered by Mr. Murphy, Patrick.

: An amendment numbered 79 printed in House Report 111-498 to repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell only after: (1) receipt of the recommendations of the Pentagon’s Comprehensive Review Working Group on how to implement a repeal of DADT (due December 1, 2010) and (2) a certification by the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and President that repeal is first, consistent with military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion & recruiting, and second, that the DoD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to implement its repeal. It would also include a 60 day period after certification before the repeal took effect.

8:28 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Skelton amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

7:52 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Skelton en bloc amendments No. 7.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 38, 49, 53, 60, 72, 73 and 75 printed in House Report 111-498.

7:51 P.M. –

On agreeing to the McMahon amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

7:41 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McMahon amendment No. 62.

7:40 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. McMahon.

: An amendment numbered 62 printed in House Report 111-498 to express a Sense of Congress concerning the implementation of the Congressionally-mandated recommendations of the Institute of Medicine study.

On agreeing to the Andrews amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

7:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Andrews en bloc amendments No. 6.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Andrews.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 39, 41, 43, 50, as modified, 51, and 57 printed in House Report 111-498.

7:12 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1404, Mr. Andrews gave notice that amendment numbered 79 may be offered out of order.On agreeing to the Andrews amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

6:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Andrews en bloc amendments No. 5.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Andrews.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 5, 6, 7, 11, 14, 19, 31, and 33 printed in House Report 111-498.

6:50 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Sarbanes amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Issa demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

6:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sarbanes amendment No. 47.Amendment offered by Mr. Sarbanes.

: An amendment numbered 47 printed in House Report 111-498 to require non-Defense agencies to establish contractor inventories and insourcing programs to mirror current law for the Department of Defense. It would also prevent agencies from establishing any numerical goal, target, or quota for the conversion to performance by Federal employees, require OMB to report to Congress on agency insourcing policies and GAO to evaluate OMB reporting.

6:38 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Eshoo amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Thorberry demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

6:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Eshoo amendment No. 42.Amendment offered by Ms. Eshoo.

: An amendment numbered 42 printed in House Report 111-498 to require the DNI to cooperate with GAO inquiries that are initiated by Committees. Would allow all committees of jurisdiction to request that GAO perform audits of the intelligence community. Would allow the DNI to designate certain reports or portions of reports as sources and methods sensitive or reportable only to the intelligence committees, and those reports or portions would go only to the intelligence committees. Would establish certain procedures to ensure that GAO safeguards information.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gutierrez amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gutierrez demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

6:17 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gutierrez amendment No. 21.Amendment offered by Mr. Gutierrez.

: An amendment numbered 21 printed in House Report 111-498 to stipulate that, should the Secretary of Defense determine that BP or its subsidiaries performing any contract with the Department are no longer a “responsible source,” the Secretary shall consider debarring BP or its subsidiaries from contracting with the Department no later than 90 days after making such determination.

6:16 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Andrews amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

6:13 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole resumed debate on the Andrews en bloc amendments No. 4.

6:12 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1404, Mr. Skelton gave notice that amendments numbered 68 and 81 may be offered out of order.

6:03 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole resumed debate on the Andrews en bloc amendments No. 4.

6:02 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1404, Mr. Skelton gave notice that amendments numbered 15 and 62 may be offered out of order.

5:50 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Andrews en bloc amendments No. 4.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Andrews.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 12, 17, 18, as modified, 25, 28, 35, 37, and 44 printed in House Report 111-498.

On agreeing to the Andrews amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

5:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Andrews en bloc amendments No. 3

5:22 P.M. –

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Andrews.

: An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 29, 34, 40, 46, 48, 52 and 54 printed in House Report 111-498.

5:20 P.M. –

On agreeing to the McGovern amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 341 – 85 (Roll no. 312).

5:11 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Marshall amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 423 – 0 (Roll no. 311).

5:03 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Skelton amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 421 – 0 (Roll no. 310).

4:31 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Inslee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Inslee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Inslee amendment No. 82.

4:17 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Inslee.

: An amendment numbered 82 printed in House Report 111-498 to require the Department of Defense to take into consideration during the KC-X or any successor aerial tanker replacement program any unfair competitive advantage an offeror may possess, and to report any such unfair competitive advantage to Congressional defense committees within 60 days of bid submissions.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pingree amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Pingree demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:01 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pingree amendment No. 80.Amendment offered by Ms. Pingree (ME).

: An amendment numbered 80 printed in House Report 111-498 to strike funding for the Joint Strike Fighter’s Alternate Engine Program.

3:59 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Skelton amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

3:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Skelton amendments en bloc number 2.

3:33 P.M. –

Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment en bloc consisting of amendments numbered 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, and 45 printed in House Report 111-498.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McGovern amendment number 13, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McGovern amendment number 13.Amendment offered by Mr. McGovern.

: An amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 111-498 to include a Sense of Congress stating that hunger and obesity are impairing military recruitment and must be properly addressed.

3:20 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Skelton amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

2:54 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Skelton amendments en bloc number 1.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment en bloc consisting of amendments numbered 9, 10, 16, 24, 36, 63, and 70 printed in House Report 111-498.

2:53 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1404, Mr. Skelton gave notice that amendments numbered 21, 42, and 47 may be offered out of order.

2:52 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Marshall amendment number 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Marshall demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Marshall amendment number 4.Amendment offered by Mr. Marshall.

: An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 111-498 to express the sense of Congress that the Chief of the National Guard Bureau should issue fire-resistant utility ensembles to National Guard personnel who are engaged, or likely to become engaged, in defense support to civil authority missions that routinely involve serious fire hazards, such as wildfire recovery efforts.

2:41 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (WA) amendment number 3.

2:30 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Smith (WA).

: An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 111-498 to ensure that the spouse, children and parents of a deployed or deploying member of the Armed Forces, who are not covered under the Family Medical Leave Act, have the ability to take at least two weeks of unpaid leave from their job in order to address issues that arise over the course of a deployment cycle.

2:28 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Bartlett amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bartlett amendment number 2.Amendment offered by Mr. Bartlett.

: An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 111-498 to prohibit funds authorized to be appropriated in section 101(5) for other procurement, Army, from being obligated or expended by the Secretary of the Army for line-haul tractors unless the source selection is made based on a full and open competition.

2:25 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Skelton amendment number 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Andrews demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1404 the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Skelton amendment number 1.Amendment offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 111-498 to correct a variety of technical errors in the bill.

2:00 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1404, Mr. Skelton gave notice that amendments numbered 80 and 82 may be offered out of order.

1:45 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1404, Mr. Skelton asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 5136 in the Committee of the Whole, and following consideration of Amendment No. 4 printed in House Report 111-498, the following amendments be considered: Amendments en bloc No. 1, Amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 111-498, Amendments en bloc No. 2, and Amendments en bloc No. 3. Agreed to without objection.

12:56 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5136.

12:55 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Chairman of the Committee.House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1404and Rule XVIII.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1404.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5136 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 or rule XXI.

12:54 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting the National Security Strategy of the United States – referred to the Committee on Armed Services .

H. Res. 1372:: honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial

12:53 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 recorded vote (2/3 required): 412 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 309).

12:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1161:: honoring the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University, the first Catholic university in the world to offer co-education as part of its regular undergraduate program

12:38 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 recorded vote (2/3 required): 380 – 0, 36 Present (Roll no. 308).

12:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1404:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5136) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules; and for other purposes

12:31 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 178 (Roll no. 307).

12:24 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:23 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H. Res. 1404and motions to suspend the rules, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Con. Res. 282:: providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses

12:18 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 187 (Roll no. 306).

11:49 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1404:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5136) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules; and for other purposes

11:48 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1404, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceeding on agreeing to the resolution until later in the legislative day.The previous question was ordered without objection.

10:35 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1404

10:31 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

10:09 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:08 A.M. –

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

10:07 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Carl White, Highland Baptist Church, Meridian, MS.The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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trending Thursday &some News …

05/27/2010 Nativegrl77

The President will hold a Press Conference at 12:45pm ET today …watch!

FYI … Elizabeth Birnbaum, now ex- head of MMS has stepped down… Republicans like Issa, Pence are trying to get out in front of the news with negative comments … the ex-head of MMS and others among the group were out of control and Republicans did nothing to stop it.

LIVE Feed of Underwater BP Oil Spill

It’s truly a We the People moment …Today we find out if the Top Kill is going to work, the President will announce a 6month moratorium on deep-well drilling/Arctic Ocean drilling until the commission investigations are finished the vote for DADT might happen today maybe Friday and while reports are that Senate Democrats have the 15 votes from Republicans for DADT… minus Scott Brown to pass the amendment; it still seems like the process by which it will be repealed is long…though it will be repealed; reports are that no soldier will be fired during the process. Senate Democrats are having problems getting the unemployment benefits extended, stopping a pay cut to Doctors who have Medicare patients so they have decided to scale it back hoping to get Republican votes … stay tuned …radio/online.

The DADT amendment will be signed into law but then it has to be certified but not implemented until December of 2010. It’s obvious the compromise was only accepted by Gates because of the long evaluating process involved with maybe the possibility of being pulled back and adjusted at any moment. That being said; the vote for DADT will be watched by many, at least 70% of Americans say it’s time to end it and hopefully Republicans will have compassion to see the positive aspects of repealing DADT. It’s hard to believe how long the repeal of DADT has taken, it seems like such a simple thing but discrimination is an emotional, nasty and all-encompassing feeling and in the hands of lawmakers abused. DADT will increase opportunities for people who want to serve the country and who have the skills needed to make positive outcomes in this War; this is just one of many votes that has Americans moving into the 21st Century.

President Obama is not only making strides to fix this economy but has kept his promises; and as we all look at the list of campaign promises expect to hear the Republican rhetoric from now until the November elections are over and you know what; political or not if something gets passed and it is for all Americans not just for the select few. i say bring it … people seem to think and say he’s the President …well, if we want things to stick, be laws then we need the Congress to create make and pass the laws …such as the current compromised DADT amendment.

Other News …

NKorea is making threats toward SKorea/the US is pressuring China to support efforts to change the situation

**the Dow closed at almost 300 up

**Company that had safety issues with Military Helmets has stopped production

**Feds gave partial okay to start partial dredging

C-SPAN …

Spkr. Pelosi Briefing weekly-5/27

Hearing on Children’s Tylenol Recall

Pres. Obama Press Conference

President Announces New Drilling Regulations; Chief Regulator Resigns

President Obama announced new drilling regulations hours after Elizabeth Birnbaum resigned under pressure as head of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the lead agency overseeing U.S. oil and gas drilling. The MMS has come under fire for lax inspections of the Deepwater Horizon rig prior to its April 20 explosion and an Inspector General’s report that identified inappropriate behavior and industry relationships by agency officials. Early reports indicate moderate success in the “top kill” effort to stem the Gulf oil leak, now classified by government estimates as the worst spill in U.S. history. Federal officials, BP and Transocean executives are testifying at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining how the spill will affect America’s offshore oil and gas policy.

Hearing NOW on c-span.org Pres. Obama: From Earlier Hearing: Morning Session LIVE Spill Cam

Pres. Obama Remarks on Economy

Hearing on Young Workers in Recession

Oil Spill Hearing: Morning Session Oil Spill Hearing: Afternoon Session
Interior Dept. Report

Sec. Clinton to Outline New National Security Strategy

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will today preview the Obama Administration’s first National Security Strategy (NSS), a report submitted to Congress by each President to outline the intended U.S. response to major national security concerns. Her remarks at the Brookings Institution are expected to define standards on the use of military force and diplomacy and to identify ways to prevent nuclear proliferation and combat terrorism, including targeting the al Qaeda network. Associated Press National Security Reporter Matt Apuzzo obtained an early copy of the NSS on Wednesday and will discuss its provisions on this morning’s Washington Journal. Wednesday, Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan said in a speech to the Center for Strategic & International Studies that the Administration places homegrown threats among the nation’s top national security concerns.

Brookings: c-span.org at 1:30pm ET

AP’s Matt Apuzzo on WJ: Available Shortly

AP: Obama’s new security strategy …

Brennan at CSIS: Available Later

Officials Give Oil Spill Update as “Top Kill” Effort Continues

Federal officials and BP executives will today provide updates on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response as an attempt to stop the leak by blasting mud and cement into the breach through a so-called “top kill” maneuver continues. First, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) appears on the Washington Journal to give her opinion on efforts so far and potential federal aid for her state. Executives from BP and Transocean testify at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining how the spill will affect America’s offshore oil and gas policy. Later, President Obama is expected announce new offshore oil drilling regulations in advance of his trip to the region on Friday.

House Hearing: c-span.org at 10am ET
Pres. Obama: c-span.org at 12:45pm ET
Sen. Landrieu on WJ: Available Shortly
LIVE Spill Cam

Oil Rig Survivors Describe Moments Before Explosion

Two hearings today are expected to shed new light on the moments leading up to the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil-drilling platform. The blast killed 11 workers and injured 17 others before triggering the massive oil spill which has blanketed parts of the Gulf of Mexico. In a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, survivors will share their experiences prior and during the disaster, and industry officials will discuss legal liability issues surrounding the accident. A joint investigation panel of the U.S. Coast Guard and Minerals Management Service will hear in New Orleans, La., from five survivors that were aboard the Deepwater Horizon at the time of the incident. Testimony yesterday included reports of an argument between rig managers debating the steps many investigators cite as possibly triggering the blast.

House Judiciary Hearing: C-SPAN3, 10am ET
Joint Panel: c-span.org at 9am ET

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Patty Murray’s Washington View

05/26/2010 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Wall Street Reform: The Strongest Protections for Washington Consumers Ever

Last week, I voted to pass a Wall Street Reform bill that provides families across our state with the strongest consumer protections in our history. The bill also guarantees that Washington state taxpayers will never again be on the hook to bailout Wall Street.

I have heard from so many people across our state whose stories demonstrate the need for us to act. Families facing foreclosure due to mortgage fraud, seniors who have lost their retirement savings, small businesses that can’t hire because they can’t borrow, and those who have lost everything due to Wall Street’s ‘anything goes’ rules. These families deserve not only accountability, they deserve protection. This bill provides it. – Details

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Howard Hanson: Protecting our Homes, Businesses, and Economy

On Thursday, May 13th, I announced that I have worked to secure $44 million in emergency funding for critical repairs to the Howard Hanson Dam. This funding will go towards efforts to repair the dam and reduce the risk a flood would have on families, businesses, homes, and our state’s economy. – Details

“U.S. senator, local officials express hope, triumph over Hanson Dam funding”
– Auburn Reporter

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Police Week: Honoring our Fallen Officers

On Thursday, May 13th, I went to the Senate floor to introduce a resolution honoring Washington State law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty in 2009. Law enforcement officers throughout the Nation and in Washington State risk their own lives to protect the lives of others every day, and this resolution honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of their communities.

Read the full text of the resolution.

“Always a hero; never forgotten” – The News Tribune

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Big Oil: Washington State Taxpayers Should Never Pay for Big Oil’s Mistakes

I have recently co-sponsored a bill that would make sure oil companies are held accountable for the enormous economic costs resulting from spills. Currently, the responsible party in an oil spill must cover all costs related to clean up; however there is a $75 million cap on its liability for economic damages, such as lost business revenues from fishing and tourism, natural resources damages or lost local tax revenues.

The Big Oil Bailout Prevention that I co-sponsored would raise that cap to a much more appropriate $10 billion. Unfortunately, Republicans blocked this legislation from passing. This is extremely disappointing and I will continue to fight to make sure Washington state taxpayers are never on the hook for Big Oil’s mistakes. – Details

I am also calling for a permanent ban on drilling off the West Coast to ensure that we never face the devastating economic and environmental damage that the Gulf Coast is currently experiencing.

“West Coast senators seek ban on Pacific offshore drilling” – Seattle Times

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Homeland Security: Securing the Puget Sound

I recently announced major investments in our state’s security infrastructure. Over $20 million is going to help protect our ports from terrorism attacks by enhancing their risk management capabilities, training and exercises, and capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from attacks involving improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons.

Additionally, funding was allocated to protect high risk facilities such as stadiums and nuclear and electrical power plants, and to increase emergency communications abilities among state, territory, local and tribal governments.

– Details

“Washington gets $27.5M from Homeland Security” – SeattlePI.com

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Fairchild Air Force Base: Questioning Air Force Brass about Much Needed Improvements

On Wednesday, May 12th, I questioned the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force about much needed improvements to Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. I sought answers to why Fairchild construction projects were left off the Pentagon’s Fiscal Year 2011 military construction budget. I also questioned the Air Force about making Fairchild a home to the next generation of aerial refueling tankers.

Listen to the entire exchange.

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Sign Up for Patty Murray’s Washington View

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Rhode Island House speaker kills immigration bill By Thom Patterson, CNN

05/26/2010 Nativegrl77

RELATED TOPICS

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Rhode Island’s Arizona “copycat” immigration bill will not be considered this year
Speaker blocks bill after protesters march on floor of Rhode Island legislature
Representative proposed bill which would have allowed police to check residency status
Critics call Arizona law racist, but Palumbo said it would save “a ton of money”

(CNN) — Days after a boisterous protest on Rhode Island’s House floor, a state official decided that a bill copying Arizona’s immigration law will not be heard by lawmakers this session.

House Speaker Gordon Fox has decided not to take up the bill, a spokesman said Tuesday, because the speaker believes immigration matters are best handled at the federal level.

The move effectively kills the bill, which — like a recently passed Arizona law — would have allowed police to check people for proof of legal U.S. residency.

The State House became the latest battleground in the nation’s racially charged immigration debate. On Thursday, about 100 demonstrators chanted slogans and called on the bill’s sponsor, Democratic State Rep. Peter Palumbo, to resign.

Critics say the Arizona law will lead to racial profiling, while supporters say it involves no racial profiling and is needed to crack down on increasing crime involving illegal immigrants. Police are allowed to check a person’s residency status only if the person has been stopped or arrested for another reason.

What does Arizona’s immigration law do?

Palumbo’s House colleague Rep. Douglas Gablinske, who was in the chamber during the ruckus, said protesters were chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho — Peter Palumbo’s got to go.”

As the House speaker banged a gavel calling for Capitol Police to clear the room, Gablinske said, the young protesters chanted and draped themselves in a banner that read “Do I look like an immigrant?”

“I guess I found that somewhat strange because none of them looked like immigrants,” said Gablinske. “I don’t remember any Latinos there; I don’t remember any African-Americans. What I remember was a group of mostly younger people — white, Caucasian who were milling about.”

The whole disturbance lasted 20 minutes, according to Gablinske, and protesters offered no resistance to the handful of police who quickly ushered them out of the chamber.

The floor demonstration and an upcoming State House rally by Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement and Rhode Island Tea Party “had nothing to do” with Fox’s decision not to take up the bill, said Fox spokesman Larry Berman.

“This is a bill that came in very late and we’re ready to wrap up our session and we want to focus on the budget and economic issues and adjourn within a few weeks,” said Berman.

Berman said Fox “feels that states shouldn’t be interfering with federal immigration laws anyway.” Berman said a similar bill could be considered again in the next session, which begins in January.

Feds may challenge Arizona immigration law

Palumbo could not be reached for comment after Fox’s announcement, but earlier on Monday he said he expected the bill to come to a committee vote this week.

“The speaker was nice enough to allow me to put [the bill] in … because I have a good relationship with the leadership right now,” said Palumbo.

Palumbo said he sponsored the bill because Rhode Island has its own “problems associated with illegal aliens. We have something like 40,000 plus in Rhode Island right now.”

At the heart of his state’s immigration problem, Palumbo said, is state funds spent on illegal residents.

“We spend a ton of money on housing, conservation, law enforcement, hospital care — all the different areas you would take care of an immigrant, we would spend on illegal aliens,” he said. “If you subtract the illegals from that equation, then we don’t have a budget deficit.”

One of the protesters, hospital worker Mayra Paulino, told The Providence Journal, “I think that this is a racist law. It’s just going to cause more racial profiling than we already have.”

Palumbo said racism has nothing to do with it. “There’s a big difference between someone who comes over here as an immigrant and someone who comes over here and just completely ignores the laws of the country,” said Palumbo, who acknowledged that it might surprise people that he’s a Democrat. “It isn’t a Republican versus Democratic issue.”

The bill shows “there’s a vocal but very small minority in the state’s political leadership that wants to express solidarity with their very conservative compatriots in other states — or in Palumbo’s case — he just may be searching for headlines,” said political science professor Anthony Affigne of Providence College.

The overwhelming majority of Rhode Island’s 123,000 Latinos are citizens and legal immigrants, said Affigne, and their community makes up a little more than 10 percent of the state’s population, concentrated in the capital Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and Newport.

Copycat measures

Rhode Island is just the latest of several states where officials are encouraging the enactment of similar laws, said Michael Hethmon general council of the Immigration Reform Law Institute.

Lawmakers from at least four states that Hethmon refused to name have come forward looking for advice on writing new legislation. So how many other states will be following Arizona?

Whatever the number, it’s “too many,” Hethmon said.

“We greatly support state laws as a policy option in the face of federal gridlock, but you can’t take the Arizona bill and copy it and just drop it into another state legislature.”

Will other states follow Arizona’s immigration law?

Hethmon expressed concern about the pace of some of these “copycat measures,” like in Rhode Island, because many of these laws likely will face judgment in lawsuits.

A danger exists, experts warn, that state lawmakers will play too fast and loose with immigration laws by exercising a kind of “do-it-yourself” and “one-size-fits-all” mentality.

“I worry about other states going forward with these bills and not considering these very complex federal issues,” said Hethmon. “The technical language is critical and it’s not something that most state legislatures are familiar with.”

Black History

Senate Democratic News

05/26/2010 Nativegrl77

May 26, 2010

Reid, Reed Join VoteVotes.Org To Urge Republicans To Provide Our Troops With The Resources They Need

Washington, DC —Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid joined Senate Armed Services Committee member Jack Reed and Jon Soltz of VoteVets.Org for a press conference earlier today to urge passage of critical funding for our troops in Afghanistan.

This week, as U.S. troops begin major operations in Kandahar, the heart of Afghanistan’s Taliban country, Senate Democrats are working to pass emergency legislation that would fund the 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan, a policy that was announced last December. The President’s plan to increase troops in Afghanistan has received bipartisan support. Now that our fighting men and women have been deployed, Democrats are urging Republicans to join them in providing our troops with the resources they need.

The Department of Defense has requested Congress swiftly pass this funding in order to avoid costly and counterproductive disruptions to military operations.

“We have over 600 National Guardsmen from Nevada alone deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it is our job to make sure that they can do their job,” said Senate Majority Leader Reid. “That’s why Democrats are leading the effort to make sure our troops have the equipment and resources they need to succeed. Unfortunately, some Republicans are now threatening to block this critical funding. I hope Republicans will join Democrats to make sure our troops have the tools they need to keep America safe and complete their mission.”

“President Obama has drastically scaled down the size of the supplemental and encouraged the defense budgeting process to better incorporate wartime spending, but there is still a dire need for this supplemental,” said Senator Reed. “Members who voted to send our troops into harm’s way and never raised a fuss about paying for the war under President Bush are now trying to score political points. They aren’t looking to make hard choices, they are looking to make campaign commercials, and continue their agenda of “no” to fixing the mess the Bush-Cheney administration left behind.”

“For Republicans to oppose funding for our troops in the field is unconscionable,” said Jon Soltz of VoteVets.Org. “It also makes no sense. They’ve largely supported President Obama’s execution of the war in Afghanistan, we still have troops in Iraq, a war that they supported. So, we’re left with no other conclusion than this is just about politics – playing politics with our troops.”

May 26, 2010

Reid Files Amicus Brief In Support Of Rights Of Military Families, Invites Colleagues To Join Effort In Letter

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sent a letter to his Senate colleagues this week inviting them to join an amicus brief in the Supreme Court in support of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder’s family. After Matthew was killed in Iraq in 2006, members of a Kansas church marred his funeral with ugly, hateful protests.

In his letter, Senator Reid notes that while the Snyder family won in a lower court, this decision was overturned at the appellate level. Reid’s letter also describes the three central arguments that his amicus brief will make in support of the Snyder family: private funerals have long been accorded special protection by American law; state and federal statutes, including the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act, demonstrate the strong governmental interest in protecting private family funerals from disruption; and the state’s interest in protecting an individual’s privacy at a peaceful private funeral outweighs the First Amendment interest in protecting the hateful speech and conduct at issue in this case.

Senator Reid believes strongly that America owes the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families the right to a solemn memorial when they sacrifice their lives to protect America.

Key Excerpts of the Letter:

“The case concerns an ugly protest at the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, who was killed in Iraq in 2006 in the line of duty. A jury found that Matthew’s parents were deprived of a peaceful and solemn opportunity to bury their son.”

“I intend to file a brief in the Supreme Court this Friday, May 28, in support of the Snyder family. The brief will argue that the law should continue to protect, as it long has, the rights of all private persons—including the families of fallen soldiers—to mourn their loved ones at a peaceful and solemn funeral.”

Full Text of the Letter:

May 24, 2010

Dear Colleague,

I write to invite you to join me in filing an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court in support of the petitioner in the case of Snyder v. Phelps (No. 09-751).

The case concerns an ugly protest at the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, who was killed in Iraq in 2006 in the line of duty. A jury found that Matthew’s parents were deprived of a peaceful and solemn opportunity to bury their son. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, including the church’s pastor Fred W. Phelps and his daughters, learned of the time and place of Matthew’s funeral and planned a protest there, as they have done at other funerals of fallen soldiers around the country. The demonstrators displayed signs with messages such as “Semper fi fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers” and then created a web video about Matthew’s funeral memorializing their protest. Matthew’s family sued the Phelps family and their church and won a jury verdict on three state torts: intentional infliction of emotional distress, intrusion upon seclusion, and civil conspiracy. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit overturned the jury verdict, concluding that the First Amendment protected respondents’ speech and conduct from any state law tort liability. The Supreme Court granted a petition for certiorari.

I intend to file a brief in the Supreme Court this Friday, May 28, in support of the Snyder family. The brief will argue that the law should continue to protect, as it long has, the rights of all private persons—including the families of fallen soldiers—to mourn their loved ones at a peaceful and solemn funeral. It will make three arguments. First, it will describe the important role that funerals play for mourners, and the special protection accorded private funerals in American law. Second, it will bring to the Court’s attention recently enacted federal and state statutes, including the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act (Pub. L. No. 109-228) and the Respect for the Funerals of Fallen Heroes Act (Pub. L. No. 109-464), which demonstrate the strong governmental interest in protecting private family funerals from disruption. It will also urge the Court to ensure that its resolution of this case casts no doubt on the validity of these laws. And third, the brief will point out how State tort laws supplement these funeral picketing regulations in deterring harmful conduct at private funerals and protecting the rights of mourners to express their own private messages of grief and tribute. It will argue that respondents’ speech was not protected by the First Amendment.

If you would like to join the brief, please contact my office by Wednesday evening. I would be happy to provide a draft of the brief for your review.

Sincerely,

Harry Reid
Majority Leader