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what’s going on in Congress -the Republican led House -the Senate


The Senate Convenes at 10amET June 28, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session
    to consider the following nominations, en bloc:

  • There will be 2 hours for concurrent debate on the nominations equally
    divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at
    approximately 12:00pm), the Senate will proceed to up to 3 roll call votes on
    the nominations in the order listed.  Senators should be aware a roll call vote
    is expected on confirmation of the Cole nomination.  While roll call votes are
    possible on confirmation of the Monaco and Seitz nominations, we are hopeful the
    nominations can be confirmed by voice vote.
  • Following disposition of the Cole, Monaco, and Seitz nominations, the Senate
    will recess until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.679, the Presidential
    Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act.  We are working on an agreement to
    complete action on S.679.  Additional roll call votes are expected during
    Tuesday’s session of the Senate.
  • At approximately 12:10pm today, the Senate will conduct up to 3 roll call
    votes on confirmation of the following nominations:
  • Senators should be aware a roll call vote is expected on confirmation of the
    Cole nomination.  While roll call votes are possible on confirmation of the
    Monaco and Seitz nominations, we are hopeful the nominations can be confirmed by
    voice vote.
  •  The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote on Tuesday, June
    28, 2011:

    • Calendar #145 Lisa O. Monaco, of the District of Columbia, to be an
      Assistant Attorney General
    • Calendar #110 Virginia A. Seitz, of the District of Columbia, to be an
      Assistant Attorney General
    • At  12:07pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar
      #62 James Michael Cole, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Attorney
      General; Confirmed: 55-42  
    • At  6:04pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to instruct the
      Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators.     
      • The Senate has reached the following agreement with respect to S.679, the
        Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act.  As a result of this
        agreement, Senators should expect a series of up to 5 roll call votes (but more
        likely 3 roll call votes)  beginning at approximately 11am on Wednesday, June
        29, 2011.
      • The following pending amendments will be agreed to by unanimous consent:
        • Akaka #512, as modified with the changes that are at the desk (Commissioner
          of the Administration for Native Americans);
        • Carper #517 (GAO report); and
        • Paul #503 (Director of the Mint)
        • Managers’ amendment, which is at the desk
      • At 11am on Wednesday, June 29th, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation
        to the remaining amendments to S.679 in the following order:

        • DeMint #501 (IMF bailouts)(60-vote threshold);
        • Portman-Udall(NM)-Cornyn #509, as modified with the changes that are at the
          desk (Comptrollers of Navy, Army, Air Force; Controller of OMB and department
          CFOs)(expected voice vote);
        • DeMint #511 (legislative & public affairs);
        • Toomey #514(strikes the provision relating to the Governors and alternate
          governors of the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and
          Development)(expected voice vote);
      • Further, that the Cornyn amendment #504, McCain #493 and the Paul amendment
        #502 will be withdrawn; no amendments will be in order to any of the amendments
        prior to the votes.  Upon disposition of the amendments, the bill will be read a
        third time and the Senate proceed to a roll call vote on passage of the bill, as
        amended (60-vote threshold). There will be no motions or points of order in
        order to the bill or any of the amendments other than budget points of order and
        the applicable motions to waive.
      • Following disposition of S.679, the Senate will proceed to the consideration
        of S.Res.116, under the previous order.
      •  Discharged Foreign Relations and Adopted S.Res.185, a resolution reaffirming the
        commitment of the United States to a negotiated settlement of the
        Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 28, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE
DAY OF JUNE 28, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:09 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 1, 2011.The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R.
2279 and agreed to S. Con. Res. 15.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair 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.

10:07 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro
tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day

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Protect Medicare … AFSCME e-Action Network


It’s truly scary.

The federal budget that was introduced by
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and passed in the House of Representatives last month
is being voted on in the Senate this week. And in all my years of working
in Washington, DC, I can honestly say that I’ve rarely seen anything this
alarming.

That’s why I need you to take just a minute and send a message
to your senators right now.

Protect MedicareYou’ve probably already heard about the Ryan budget
because of its radical proposal to eliminate Medicare as we know it. But
it’s worse than that. It’s clear that what he’s calling the “Pathway to
Prosperity” should really be named the “Pathway to Poverty,” given what it means
for most Americans. The Ryan pathway is a wrong turn for America. It only brings
more prosperity to insurance companies, Wall Street fat cats, and the wealthiest
companies and individuals in America while dumping the rest of us in a dead end.
It’s outrageous.

And it must be stopped in the
Senate: Please take action against this radical bill right
now.

  • Ryan’s budget includes deep
    cuts to federal programs that fund state and local governments at a time when
    many states are already in crisis, and more and more people need their services.
    It’s nothing short of
    another outright attack on public employees and the services we provide.
  • The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates
    that Medicare beneficiaries’ premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses would double when compared to
    Medicare as it is now – from $6,150 to $12,500.
  • Ryan claims this bill would
    reduce the deficit by $4.3 trillion. What he doesn’t say is that it’s almost
    entirely wiped out by the
    $4.2 trillion in tax cuts to benefit the wealthiest Americans. Indeed, it would reduce the
    tax rate for prosperous corporations and reduce the tax rate paid by the
    wealthiest to its lowest level since 1931.

This budget proposal is so radical
that even some Republicans, like Newt
Gingrich, are distancing themselves from it. And while home during
recess, many of the House Republicans who voted for it (all but 4 did) were
taken to task at town hall meetings by the same people who voted for them last
November.

It’s clear
that the voices of working Americans are being heard and making a difference in
this fight. So please, speak out against this extreme proposal today by sending
a message to your senators. Let them know that you won’t stand by while Medicare, Medicaid,
and even Social Security are dismantled to pay for tax breaks for the rich and
subsidies to oil companies.

In solidarity,

Chuck Loveless
Legislative
Director
AFSCME

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Education: The Billionaires Who Want To Privatize Our Schools


There is a vibrant debate going on about how to improve our system of public education. While there is reasonable debate about various reforms, there has historically been one right-wing policy which Americans have opposed — giving students taxpayer-subsidized school vouchers to use at private schools, which undermines and undercuts the public education system. Between 1966 and 2000, vouchers were put up for a vote in states 25 times, and voters rejected the program 24 of those times. Yet despite this historic unpopularity, voucher programs are exploding across the United States, with legislators from Pennsylvania to Indiana to Wisconsin championing the scheme. So what’s responsible for the current shift? A handful of billionaires, corporate-backed foundations and non-profits, and Political Action Committees (PACs) are using their influence to set up front group after front group, determined to spread voucher progra ms across the country, taking aim at the heart of our public education system. It is up to Americans to educate themselves about this assault on public education and defend our public schools.

PRIVATIZING EDUCATION, NOT HELPING OUR KIDS: Voucher advocates, who often refer to their movement as about “school choice,” say that the purpose of pushing their programs is to ensure that “low-income families can access the best schools for their children.” Yet the historical record of vouchers shows that there has been little to no improvement in student achievement among kids who attended private schools with vouchers versus those who attended traditional public schools. The longest-running voucher program in the country is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Started in 1998 “in response to the low academic performance of African-American students, the voucher program survived legal challenges and now serves some 20,000 low-income students in 111 non-public, mainly religious, schools.” Yet the latest state test scores, released in March, show that students in Mi lwaukee’s “school choice program performed worse than or about the same in Milwaukee Public Schools in math and reading on the latest statewide test.” Additionally, the voucher schools had a student body with far less special education children — only “1.5 of voucher students are in special education, while in the public schools, the figure is about 19 percent.” Shortly after the release of state data on Milwaukee’s voucher program, a University of Arkansas study was released that found that “voucher-school students in Milwaukee” were “achieving lower levels of reading and math proficiency than students in Milwaukee Public Schools.” The much-touted Washington, D.C. voucher program, the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), got similar results, despite claims by right-wing legislators and former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee that it improved student performance. The Department of Education’s 2010 final report on OPS found that there was “no statistically significant overall impact of the Program on reading or math achievement after at least four years.” Yet despite these failures, conservatives continue to push vouchers. Joseph Bast, the president and CEO of the Heartland Institute, may’v e explained the real thinking behind vouchers in 2002, saying, “The complete privatization of schooling might be desirable, but this objective is politically impossible for the time being. Vouchers are a type of reform that is possible now, and would put us on the path of further privatization.”

RAPID EXPANSION: Despite the lack of evidence that they actually comprehensively improve our education system, voucher programs are exploding across the country, as newly-elected conservative legislators are drawing up voucher schemes and signing voucher legislation into law. Two weeks ago, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) set off “a new era for education in Indiana” when he signed into law one of the most expansive school voucher laws in the country, opening up a huge fund of tax dollars for private schools. A few days later, the Wisconsin state Assembly vastly expanded school vouchers, freeing up tax dollars even for private religious schools. GOP legislators in the Pennsylvania Senate say they have the votes to pass a sweeping voucher bill of their own. And on Capitol Hill, House Republicans successfully revived Washington, D.C.’s voucher system after it was killed off two years ago. Meanwhile, school choice movements in Florida, Kansas, and elsewhere continue to make progress in advancing legislation friendly to vouchers. This rapid expansion of voucher programs is perhaps unprecedented in recent history. One major defeat for vouchers occurred in Tennessee, where the state Senate passed sweeping voucher legislation yet the House decided to table it, wanting to study the effect of v ouchers elsewhere before diving into untested waters. “We have a lot of reform going on. We have made an extreme amount of changes in education,” said Richard Montgomery (R), urging caution and studying the effects of vouchers elsewhere before passing any legislation.

BILLIONAIRES VS. OUR SCHOOLS: This rapid expansion of voucher programs is not occurring simply because of some grassroots uprising. A small clique of wealthy individuals and their foundations are pushing these pieces of legislation. The most prominent of these individuals are Dick and Betsy DeVos, the power couple who inherited their fortune from billionaire Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, Sr. In a speech before the Heritage Foundation in 2002, Dick DeVos explained that conservatives should start referring to public schools as “government schools” instead to undermine public support for them. The DeVos family has poured millions of dollars into the school choice movement, launching a variety of front groups, including but not limited to Children First America, the Alliance for School Choice (ASC), Kids Hope USA, and the American Federation for Children (AFC). AF C spent $820,000 — the seventh-largest single PAC spender during the election — in Wisconsin during the last election, a huge sum which included $40,000 donations to each of several Republicans who were elected and then proceeded to champion radical voucher legislation. Its clout was strong enough to bring Govs. Scott Walker (R-WI) and Tom Corbett (R-PA) together with former D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee together for a school choice event in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the organization’s sister organization, ASC, handed out gigantic grants to school choice organizations across the country, effectively hiding the DeVos’s role, granting $530,000 to the “Black Alliance for Educational Options” in Washington, D.C., for example. ASC is funded by powerful right-wing and corporate ideologues, thousands of dollars from Charles Koch, and hundreds of thousands of doll ars from the Jaquelin Hume Foundation, the brainchild of an ultra-wealthy California businessman who helped bring Ronald Reagan to power. Meanwhile, the Bill and Susan Oberndorf Foundation, set up by an investment firm fortune couple, has been siphoning money off to school choice groups across the country. In 2009, it gave $376,793 to AFC and $50,000 to the Brighter Choice Foundation. At a recent education panel, Bill Oberndorf was credited with giving “tens of millions” of dollars to the school choice movement, and called the Indiana voucher law the “gold standard” for what should be done across America. Americans have to arm themselves with the facts to avoid that fate.

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Red to Blue …Jim Dean

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Paul Ryan‘s plan to kill Medicare is killing the Tea Party Republican majority in the House.

Right-wingers are running scared as poll after poll shows the vast majority of Americans oppose any cuts to Medicare — and now Republicans are falling behind in a special election in the most Republican congressional district in New York.

This is a Republican district — Barack Obama won New York State by 25 points in 2008 and still lost District 26.

Now, Democrat Kathy Hochul’s grassroots campaign has pulled ahead in the polls and the Republican establishment is throwing everything it has at her. Just yesterday, Karl Rove’s shady corporate front group American Crossroads announced they were dropping $650,000 into the district to prop up the right-wing Republican candidate.

Republicans took a majority saying they were going to create jobs. Instead, all they’ve done is attack American women, students, seniors and the poor — and the American people are sick of it.

www.democracyforamerica.com

The only thing that can beat big corporate money is people power — Please, contribute $10 to Kathy’s grassroots campaign right now and deliver a knock-out punch to a right-wing Republican in a red district.

The most recent poll has Kathy up just four points over the Republican candidate, so it’s going to be a tough fight in these final weeks. Believe me, Republicans across the country are watching this race. They know that if they can lose districts like NY-26 then they can lose the House in 2012.

But it’s not just Republicans watching. If Democrats win this seat by exposing the Republican plan to kill Medicare, they’ll be emboldened to go all out on offense defending it.

Your support today can make the difference. Now is the time to put Kathy over the top.

Contribute $10 now and help put an end to the Tea Party Republican majority.

The Republican attack on middle class families in Washington DC, in Wisconsin and across the country is backfiring on them. Join Kathy’s campaign today and we can really turn the heat up on them.

Thank you everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair

Democracy for America

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what’s happening on the floor of Congress: -the Republican led House -the Senate


the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET May 3, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 5:00 pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the Majority will control the next 30 minutes.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15 pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to S.493, the Small Business Jobs bill is at 2:30pm today. 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 2:30pm today. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.Res.159, a resolution honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, and for other purposes, with up to 90 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The final 10 minutes of debate will be reserved for the two Leaders, with the Republican Leader controlling five minutes and the Majority Leader controlling the final five minutes.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 3:45pm), the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on adoption of the resolution. Senator Reid encourages Senators to vote from their desks.

The Senate is currently in a period of morning business until 5:00pm for debate only with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes today.

Votes:

63: Adoption of S.Res.159, honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, and for other purposes; Adopted: 97-0

Unanimous Consent:

S.Res.160, designating May 6, 2011, as “Military Spouse Appreciation Day”.

S.Res.161, designating May 2011 as “National Inventors Month”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 3, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:45 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:44 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 1214: to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction

6:43 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1214 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Burgess moved that the Committee rise.

6:42 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:39 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pallone amendment numbered 2 under the five-minute rule.

6:38 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Pallone. An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to require a GAO study to determine school districts most in need of constructing or renovating school-based health centers.

6:37 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:28 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No.1 under the five-minute rule.

6:27 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX). An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to insert a new paragraph requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to post a notice of recission of unobligated funds made available by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act not later than 10 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the Department’s public website.

6:26 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

6:25 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1213: to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges

6:21 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 – 183 (Roll no. 285).

6:14 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 233 (Roll no. 284).

5:48 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a provision that would require health insurance issuers to disclose the extent to which coverage has been denied or premiums have been increased for an individual. A point of order was reserved, but was subsequently withdrawn.

5:47 P.M. – Mr. Boswell moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce. Mr. Boswell moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1213 to the Committee on Energy and Commerce with instructions to report the same to the House forthwith with the following amendment: � In section 1, add at the end the following: � (c) CANCER OR OTHER PREEXISTING CONDITION NON-DISCRIMINATION DISCLOSURE CONDITION. — ***

5:46 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1213.

5:45 P.M. – On agreeing to the Ellison amendment Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 242 (Roll no. 283).

5:37 P.M. – On agreeing to the Waters amendment Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 242 (Roll no. 282).

5:30 P.M. – On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 177 – 239 (Roll no. 281).

5:07 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1214: to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction

5:06 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1214 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

5:05 P.M. – Mr. Burgess moved that the Committee rise.

3:55 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1214.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette 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. 236 and Rule XVIII.

3:54 P.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1213 and H.R. 1214 with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. In both cases, the previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The measures will be considered read. In the case of H.R. 1213, specified amendments are in order. In the case of H.R. 1214, the resolution makes in order only those amendments that are received for printing in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII in a daily issue dated May 2, 2011, and pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 236.

H.R. 1213: to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1213 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Burgess moved that the Committee now rise.

3:53 P.M. – On agreeing to the Welch amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:43 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Welch (VT) substitute amendment No. 5.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Welch.

A substitute amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-70 to preserve funding for establishment of Health Benefit Exchanges for states that apply for early innovator grants before 2012. The funds used shall be subject to availability of appropriations up to $1.9 billion.

On agreeing to the Pallone amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:31 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pallone amendment No. 4.

Amendment offered by Mr. Pallone.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-70 to require GAO to report on benefits of funding in setting up state run exchanges that reflect that state’s marketplace, as opposed to state exchanges established and operated by the federal government.

3:30 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ellison amendment no. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:19 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison amendment No. 3.

Amendment offered by Mr. Ellison.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-70 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on the impact of H.R. 1213 on the possible delays and potential enrollment reductions to Health Benefit Exchanges.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waters amendment no. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Waters demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:12 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waters amendment No. 2.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-70 to require, within 6 months after enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on the extent to which states are expected to have difficulties establishing Health Benefit Exchanges without the federal assistance repealed and rescinded under this bill.

3:11 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment no. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:00 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX). An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-70 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to post notice of rescission of funds and the amount rescinded on the public website of the Department of Health and Human Services.

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 236, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 1.

1:49 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1213.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette 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. 236 and Rule XVIII.

1:48 P.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1213 and H.R. 1214 with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. In both cases, the previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The measures will be considered read. In the case of H.R. 1213, specified amendments are in order. In the case of H.R. 1214, the resolution makes in order only those amendments that are received for printing in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII in a daily issue dated May 2, 2011, and pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 236.

H.R. 1425: to reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes

1:46 P.M. – RE-REFERRAL OF H.R. 1425 – Mr. Hall(TX) asked unanimous consent the H.R. 1425 be re-referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition, to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Armed Services. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 236: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1213) to repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1214) to repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 237 – 185 (Roll no. 280).

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

1:39 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 234 – 185 (Roll no. 279).

12:16 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 236.

12:13 P.M. – Considered as privileged matter.

12:02 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Payne to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:01 P.M. – The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alan Kieran, Office of the U.S. Senate Chaplain, Washington DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 3.

10:43 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:02 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:01 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.