Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

The majority leader is recognized.

Mr. President, H.R. 3094 is at the desk and due for a second reading.

Under the previous order, leadership time is reserved.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Objection is heard. The bill will be placed on the calendar under rule XIV.

The Senator from Illinois.

The assistant bill clerk read as follows:

The Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak therein up to 10 minutes each, with the first hour equally divided ...

The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Inouye).

The clerk will call the roll.

Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the Honorable Mark R. Warner, a Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mr. President, first of all, I thank the Presiding Officer for taking a few moments so I can make my statement. I also thank my friend, the Senator from Illinois, ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

I will yield and ask unanimous consent that I reclaim the floor when the leader is done.

Could I ask my friend to yield for a colloquy between the Republican leader and myself?

The majority leader.

The Senator from Iowa.

The Republican leader.

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I wish to take a few minutes to discuss a case that was argued a few weeks ago before the Supreme Court, Hall v. the United States. This ...

The Senator from Alabama.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. President, I know we are all anxious to reach a conclusion on significant legislation that is pending. It determines many things important to Americans and it creates the opportunity ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I have a number of consents I will offer.

The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. President, the holiday season is coming upon us, a period of celebration and joy. But as we prepare to spend time with our friends and our families in the ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following my remarks, Senator Hutchison be recognized for floor remarks.

The clerk will report the bill by title.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 2009, introduced earlier today.

Mr. President, I rise to speak about the payroll tax cut we have been debating and considering these many weeks and which we seem to be making some progress on ...

The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

The clerk will call the roll.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, we seem to be heading to an agreement today. At this point, the House appears to be ready to vote on the conference report on the appropriations bills ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. President, I rise to make some observations about the Keystone Pipeline. President Obama has said his first priority is jobs. Here is an opportunity for the President to show ...

Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Florida.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

The bill clerk called the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business for up to 15 minutes.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I will take the opportunity while the floor is relatively quiet to come and explain one of the votes we are going to be asked to cast tomorrow. ...

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

The clerk will call the roll.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

The Senator from North Dakota.

This is as close to a no-brainer as I think we can identify. But this also particularly benefits my State of Texas, which I am honored to represent. TransCanada's direct ...

Mr. President, I would like to address the Senate on the subject of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which has been reported to be part of the proposed package that would ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

What is the sense on one hand in saying, we need to put money in the hands of the middle class through a tax cut, and, on the other hand, ...

The Senator's time has expired.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, we will be voting, I understand, on three pieces of legislation from the House. One is a massive omnibus bill that would include 9 of the 13 appropriations ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for as long as I may consume.

So the system now has deteriorated to the point where these decisions are made--by the way, I would like to correct the record. There are 37 total Members in the ...

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

May I also point out, as my colleague did, that all of us as Members of the Senate are guided to some degree by seniority, which means assignment and ranking ...

I would just mention, I say to my colleague from Oklahoma, the issue of this cutting of the budget of the Government Accountability Office. It seems rather strange to me. ...

Mr. President, this is not the way Congress is supposed to work. Authorizing committees exist to provide specific congressional approval of Federal spending. Appropriations committees and subcommittees exist to take ...

Mr. President, I rise to discuss the Omnibus appropriations conference report that I guess will be before this body at the pleasure of the members of the Appropriations Committee.

The clerk will call the roll.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I guess I am one of several Senators who doesn't know for sure what is going to happen tonight or tomorrow. I do know that we have one ...

Mr. President, this morning it was announced that the former officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are going to be prosecuted, or cases have been filed, for their misrepresentation ...

The Senator from Florida.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

The clerk will report the joint resolution by title.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.J. Res. 94, which is a 24-hour continuing resolution, which was just received from the House ...

Mr. President, I wish to explain my absence from rollcall votes 230 and 231 on Thursday, December 15, 2011.

There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:18 p.m., recessed subject to the call of the Chair and reassembled at 8:14 p.m. when called to order by the Presiding Officer ...

Mr. President, I rise to recognize the extraordinary work of the Honorable Wilson ``Bill'' Livingood, who served with distinction for 17 years as the House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms, ...

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint resolution.

Mr. President, Vermont and other the other States still reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene have a huge stake in the misguided offset resolution sent to us by the ...

Mr. President, today I join with Idaho's senior Senator Mike Crapo to recognize and pay tribute to the exceptional dedication of Marty Peterson, who is retiring after 51 years of ...

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the courageous men and women who are struggling for freedom in Belarus.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to Virginia Gabriel of Clarks Summit, PA, who passed away on September 26, 2011, at the age of 93. To those who ...

Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate 100 years of Kake, AK, as an incorporated first-class city. Kake Day, on January 8, 2012, will acknowledge the community's accomplishments, ranging from ...

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

As in executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate messages from the President of the United States submitting sundry nominations and a withdrawal which were referred to the ...

Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his secretaries.

The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-4354. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, ...

The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Mr. DeMINT: S. 2008. A bill to repeal ...

By Mr. HARKIN.

By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer):

S. 2020. A bill to protect all school children against harmful and life-threatening seclusion and restraint practices; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Mr. President, today I am introducing the Postal Investment Act of 2011 which lays out many ideas to help strengthen the United States Postal Service through investment and innovation.

S. 2019. A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prescribe regulations to reduce helicopter noise pollution in certain residential areas, and for other purposes; to ...

S. 2014. A bill to reform the United States Postal Service, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011, which is cosponsored by Senator Boxer.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Russell Evenmo, an intern in my office, be permitted floor privileges for today. It is his last day and I wish to get ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, Saturday, December 17, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 257, H.R. 3630; that the majority ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Senators should expect a series of rollcall votes tomorrow morning beginning at 9 a.m. in relation to a 2-month extension of the payroll tax, unemployment insurance, the doc fix, disaster ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011; that following the prayer and pledge, ...

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that from Friday, December 16 through Monday, January 23, 2012, the majority leader be recognized to sign duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions.

The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: Eternal God, we give You thanks for giving us another day. We pause in Your presence and ask guidance ...

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker: Washington, DC, December 16, 2011. I hereby appoint the Honorable Robert J. Dold to act as ...

(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Dold).

(Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

(Mr. CASSIDY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, in 2003 the United States military and its allies began operations to remove Saddam Hussein from power, who was a ruthless dictator and a threat to stability in ...

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, Boy Scout Troop 121 of Granite Bay, California, will conduct its 200th Eagle Scout Court of Honor and induct its 212th and 213th Eagle Scouts.

(Mr. McCLINTOCK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

(Mr. CRITZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. Speaker, as a small business owner, I know that it's tough to get access to capital. If a company doesn't have the resources it needs to grow and expand, ...

(Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, as we come to the close of yet another calendar year, and as we move well into the Federal fiscal year, much work remains to be done for ...

I continue to reserve my time, Mr. Speaker.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1892) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for intelligence and intelligence-related ...

Subtitle A--Office of the Director of National IntelligenceSec. 401. Intelligence community assistance to counter drug trafficking organizations using public lands.Sec. 402. Application of certain financial reporting requirements to the Office ...

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Subtitle A--Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1892.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to thank the chair and ranking member for the extraordinary job they have done on the Intelligence Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2867) to reauthorize the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, and for ...

I thank the chair very much for yielding.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were concurred in.

The text of the Senate amendments is as follows:

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Florida?

Mr. Speaker, with that, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question and the martial law rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 938, I was away from the Capitol due to prior commitments to my constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16, 2011, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 937 in order to attend an important event in my district. Had I been present, I ...

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield my colleague an additional 30 seconds.

Would the gentlewoman from New York like me to yield to her, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16, 2011, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 938 in order to attend an important event in my district. Had I been present, I ...

Happy birthday.

I am happy to yield to my friend from Rochester if she would like to ask me a question or ask the Chair a question. I am more than happy ...

The gentleman from California has 13\1/2\ minutes remaining, and the gentlewoman from New York has 16\1/2\ minutes remaining.

The gentleman from California has 7\1/4\ minutes remaining, and the gentlewoman from New York has 13\1/2\ minutes remaining.

The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it.

Mr. Speaker, I said to the gentleman I won't yield until I'm finished, and I would appreciate not being interrupted.

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

I think we're talking about this year, aren't we?

I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from California, the chairman of the Rules Committee, to whom we all look for wisdom, especially at times like this. I think he ...

The time of the gentleman from Kentucky has expired.

We're here because this bill is the product of our committee, but most importantly, it's a product of our subcommittees, Republicans and Democrats. They're the ones who put this bill ...

I am happy to yield my friend an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield my friend an additional 30 seconds. And I would ask my friend to yield to me, if he would.

Pursuant to clause 8 and clause 9 of rule XX, this 15-minute vote on ordering the previous question will be followed by 5-minute votes on adoption of House Resolution 500, ...

The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 239, nays 179, not voting 15, as follows:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and the underlying measure, the conference report on H.R. 2055.

The gentleman from California is recognized.

So the resolution was agreed to.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, absolutely. If I could reclaim my time, Mr. Speaker, I would say absolutely, we're talking about this year. And the responsibility that was thrust on us this year was ...

Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my very good friend from Rochester, New York (Ms. Slaughter), the distinguished ranking minority member ...

[Roll No. 938] YEAS--252 Adams Aderholt Akin Alexander Amash Amodei Austria Bachus Barletta Bartlett Barton (TX) Bass (NH) Benishek Berg Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Black Blackburn Bonner Bono Mack Boustany Brady ...

I say to my friend from Rochester, would you yield time to the gentleman so I can engage in a discussion with him?

I thank my chairman for yielding the time, and I want to thank my chairman for his work on opening this process up in the House. He's teamed up with ...

I thank my friend for yielding.

Stated against:

The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

I thank the gentlelady.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

So here we have, again, misunderstanding on the part of the Republicans on our key national security issue, and that is changing our relationship with the energy sources which we ...

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Let me read a quote:

[Roll No. 937] YEAS--239 Adams Aderholt Akin Alexander Amash Amodei Austria Bachus Barletta Bartlett Barton (TX) Bass (NH) Benishek Berg Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Bishop (UT) Black Blackburn Bonner Bono Mack ...

The gentleman from Massachusetts controls the time.

The time of the gentleman has expired.

I have the utmost respect for the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. And I take him at his word when he says there are no earmarks in this bill, that ...

I look forward to it.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains on each side.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, as my good friends from the Appropriations Committee, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Dicks, congratulate each other in the well, I will ask them to move out of the ...

The time of the gentleman from Washington has expired.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16th, 2011, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 940 in order to attend an important event in my district. Had I been present, I ...

The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.

[Roll No. 940] AYES--413 Ackerman Adams Aderholt Akin Alexander Altmire Amash Amodei Andrews Austria Baca Bachus Baldwin Barletta Barrow Bartlett Barton (TX) Bass (CA) Bass (NH) Becerra Benishek Berg Berkley ...

A recorded vote was ordered.

This will be a 5-minute vote.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

The unfinished business is the question on suspending the rules and passing the bill (S. 278) to provide for the exchange of certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests ...

The question was taken.

Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky?

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the State-Foreign Operations division of this conference agreement, which contains $42.1 billion in discretionary budget authority. This means that since January, spending ...

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Connecticut, the ranking member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the very distinguished chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Appropriations, the gentlelady from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson).

I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York, the ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee, Mr. Serrano.

As ranking member of the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I want to congratulate Chairwoman Granger, Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Dicks, and the outstanding majority and minority staff. Thank you all for ...

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge an ``aye'' vote on the measure.

All time for debate has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I too want to join the chorus in commending Chairman Rogers, Chairman Simpson, and our ranking member, Norm Dicks, and the phenomenal work of the appropriations staff on ...

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are finally considering an omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal 2012 to fund critical Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. After a ...

Mr. Speaker, Yucca Mountain is the repository for our nation's high level defense nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel under current law. This conference report does not change that fact. ...

I thank the gentleman very much and appreciate that.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.

I, therefore, urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. Yes, it will keep government open, which is essential; but it will also do the most fundamental job that ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the reauthorization of the Lautenberg Amendment, a lifeline for Iranian Jews, Christians, Baha'is and other religious minorities under threat of the ...

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 500, I call up the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2055) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and ...

Mr. Speaker, today Congress is considering a bill to keep the government running for the remainder of the fiscal year. That is our basic responsibility as Members of Congress. I ...

I want to thank the chairman for his support and leadership as we work through the appropriations process.

Pursuant to House Resolution 500, the conference report is considered read.

The gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) each will control 30 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I yield myself an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say this. This is the way things were meant to be done in this body. Politics was meant to be the art of compromise, with ...

I thank the chairman for yielding the time, and I thank him for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to clarify the intent of language included in the conference report on H.R. 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY12, regarding the management of forest ...

Mr. Speaker, the conference report accompanying H.R. 2055 clearly states that Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has the ability to create the Afghanistan/Pakistan Study Group. I worked closely with members ...

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

I yield to my friend from Washington.

The time of the gentleman has expired.

I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, Mr. Price.

I thank the gentleman for his comments and for yielding.

I thank the gentleman very much.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes.

Pursuant to House Resolution 500, the concurrent resolution is considered read.

The gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) each will control 10 minutes.

The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I voted to support funding our Nation's disaster relief programs for an additional year. However, I remain unsatisfied by the work Congress has engaged in this year regarding ...

The text of the bill is as follows:

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to yield back if the gentleman is.

The question is on the passage of the bill.

I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana, the ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, Mr. Visclosky.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this disaster relief measure and urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 500, I call up the bill (H.R. 3672) making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for ...

All time for debate has expired.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings will resume on questions previously postponed.

The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 296, nays 121, not voting 16, as follows:

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16th, 2011, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 941 in order to attend an important event in my district. Had I been present, I ...

Stated for:

[Roll No. 941] YEAS--296 Ackerman Aderholt Alexander Altmire Andrews Baca Bachus Baldwin Barletta Barrow Barton (TX) Bass (CA) Bass (NH) Becerra Benishek Berkley Berman Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Bishop (GA) Bishop ...

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 941 I was unavoidably detained.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 941, I was away from the Capitol due to prior commitments to my constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

So the conference report was agreed to.

Yes.

Just to clarify, it is my understanding, therefore, that we do intend, before we leave for the year, to address the House-passed bill or a Senate version thereof.

(Mr. CANTOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Without objection, 5-minute voting will continue.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16, 2011, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 943 in order to attend an important event in my district. Had I been present, I ...

The question is on the passage of the bill.

[Roll No. 943] YEAS--351 Ackerman Adams Aderholt Akin Alexander Altmire Amodei Andrews Austria Baca Bachus Baldwin Barletta Barrow Bartlett Bass (CA) Bass (NH) Becerra Berg Berkley Berman Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis ...

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 16, 2011, I was unable to vote due to an important family event. Had I been present, I would have voted:

The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a joint resolution (H.J. Res. 94) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes, and ask unanimous consent for ...

There was no objection.

There was no objection.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Reserving the right to object, I yield to the chairman to explain the amendment.

The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) be authorized to insert extraneous material in the Record.

Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Kentucky?

There was no objection.

Reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I yield to the distinguished chairman to explain this CR.

There was no objection.

There was no objection.

(Mr. RIVERA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

(Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the official end of America's 9-year war in Iraq. In a low-key ceremony in Baghdad, U.S. troops lowered the American flag of command that flew over ...

Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the time.

A further message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced that the Senate has passed a bill of the following title in which the concurrence of ...

Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 5, 2011, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) is recognized for 30 minutes.

So as the residents of the District of Columbia look at the national appropriations, they will see the national conference report and they will have much to be grateful for ...

Well, I thank you, Mr. Hoyer. It was a very special pleasure to yield to the man who is second in the Democratic leadership here in the House. And I ...

Mr. Speaker, I come to make a few remarks about the 2012 omnibus appropriations conference report just passed and about one part of that report that has no place in ...

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 4 o'clock and 30 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, December 19, 2011, at 10 a.m.

Bills of the Senate of the following titles were taken from the Speaker's table and, under the rule, referred as follows: S. 1612. An act to provide the Department of ...

Pursunt to clause 2 of rule XII the following action was taken by the Speaker: H.R. 2484. Referral to the Committee on Natural Resources extended for a period ending not ...

Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: 4317. A letter from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit ...

Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted regarding the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution ...

Under clause 9 of rule XXI, lists or statements on congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits were submitted as follows: Offered By: Mr. Rogers of Kentucky H.J. ...

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the official end of United States military operations in Iraq. President Obama has fulfilled his promise to bring all of our troops home by December and, ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a prestigious Bucks County based company, Ziamatic, for receiving the Governor's Award for Safety and Excellence. Ziamatic Corp. (ZICO) was founded in 1958 ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2011 St. Xavier University Cougars football team, who will compete in the school's first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship game ...

Mr. Speaker, while I am deeply concerned about Iran's capacity to develop nuclear weapons and I support targeted sanctions against Iran, I voted no on H.R. 1905, the Iran Threat ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sarah Smierciak, a graduate of my alma mater, Northwestern University, who was recently awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Frank Castelli's retirement as the Service Director for the City of Middleburg Heights after 25 years of dedicated service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 60th Anniversary of Canaan Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, in Pennsylvania and across the country, we are moving forward to develop American sources of energy. This development will reduce energy prices for hardworking taxpayers, create jobs for ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, the largest and most successful non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Doris Virginia Tracy, a longtime resident of La Veta, Colorado. Mrs. Tracy was a distinguished World War Two-era pilot and loving wife ...

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following poem.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the passing of David Montgomery, after a long and well-lived life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Chinese American Film Festival, which was held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, for celebrating its 7th successful year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mason Punchers football team on an outstanding 2011 season. Yesterday, the Punchers won the Class 1A, Division I Texas state championship and ...

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Silver Cross Hospital, which is located in my district, for expanding its facilities to New Lenox, IL. In this new facility, the wonderful ...

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal family matter on December 15, 2011, I was absent from votes. As such, I am submitting these remarks to indicate how I would have ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the West Springfield Dance Team for their incredible run on the nationally televised show, ``America's Got Talent''. The West Springfield Dance Team progressed ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend and constituent, Rick Case, who will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Rick Case automotive in early 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee for his efforts to honor fallen military heroes from the Tampa Bay area. At the direction of Sheriff ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. William C. Mobley, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego. On December 8th, Dr. ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer this tribute to Janice ``Teko'' Wiseman, a native of Mobile, AL, who recently passed away at the age of 83. She spent her life ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. David Dawson as he retires after 40 years of service at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

Mr. Speaker, President Obama deserves tremendous credit for ending America's war in Iraq, honoring his commitment to bring all U.S. troops home by the end of 2011. As commander-in-chief he ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend Marvin McMickle and congratulate him on his retirement after twenty-four years of service as the pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the service of one of the 7th District of Missouri's radio stations, KZRG.

Mr. Speaker, each Member of this body is assisted by those who serve on our staffs. The roles and responsibilities of a Member of Congress make it impossible for any ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate the life of James E. Burch, military veteran, advertising executive and lifelong anti-war and environmental activist. A renaissance man with a ...

Mr. Speaker, today I am glad to recognize the 16th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an outstanding public servant and dedicated volunteer in Yancey County, North Carolina. Mr. Clyde McIntosh of Burnsville committed his life ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Command Sergeant Major Patricia Griffin Cardwell. CSM Cardwell passed away last week on December 7. She was a veteran of the ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Harold L. Williams as he retires after 35 years of service at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

HON. DAVID LOEBSACK of iowa in the house of representatives Friday, December 16, 2011 Mr. -LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the long, successful, and highly dedicated ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Time Warner Cable for its dedication to keeping citizens informed about what is going on in Washington. The better informed our citizens are, ...

Mr. Speaker, Bruce Sundlun was a remarkable man and an outstanding public servant. His daughter Kara and son-in-law Dennis and their children are constituents of mine. I was fortunate to ...

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor New York Police Officer Peter Figoski, who made the ultimate sacrifice on December 12th. Peter Figoski will be remembered as a ...

John Brennan was a venerated citizen of my hometown, East Hartford. He served his country, his state, and his community in several elected, appointed, and volunteer positions; most recently he ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Schrader amendment to H.R. 10, the REINS Act. The REINS Act makes certain regulations that protect American priorities like public health, our ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share with America something very good about America--a true blue American success story in a cowboy hat and boots--my friend, Larry Galla, one of the ...