Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Vol. 158WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012No. 10

The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the Honorable Christopher A. Coons, a Senator from the State of Delaware.

Mr. COONS thereupon assumed the chair as Acting President pro tempore.

The Honorable Christopher A. Coons led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which ...

Mr. President, for generations this was the American promise: If you worked hard and played by the rules, success would be within your reach. We call that success the American ...

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, tonight the President of the United States will come to the Capitol to give us his sense of the state of the Union. This is a venerable tradition, ...

Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4 p.m. today, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, ...

Mr. President, I listened to the speech just given by the Republican leader of the Senate. He expresses a sentiment Americans share; that it is time for us to work ...

The clerk will call the roll.

I would further ask to be recognized as if in morning business.

The Senator from Georgia.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The clerk will call the roll.

We are back. Tonight, I understand, the Presiding Officer and I will be sitting together at the State of the Union event, which I am pleased to do. It is ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

The Senator from Vermont.

The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, democracy; that is, government of the people, by the people and for the people, does not thrive or even survive unless we have a well-informed and well-educated public ...

The clerk will call the roll.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Without objection, it is so ordered.

The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, today I rise with a heavy heart to mourn the loss of Ogden police officer Jared Francom.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

We are in morning business.

Mr. President, are we in morning business?

The clerk will call the roll.

I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized to speak as in morning business for up to 15 minutes.

The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 18 minutes.

Mr. President, it is good to be back at work here in Washington, DC. We have the big State of the Union tonight, which is kind of the beginning of ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

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

The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the period for morning business be extended until 5 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, Chris Bohjalian is one of the treasures of Vermont, as well as being a gifted writer. We Vermonters are fortunate to be able to read his weekly column. ...

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize two individuals for their extraordinary service to the Everybody Wins! Program in Iowa.

Mr. President, today, I commend Eliot Elementary School of Eliot, ME, on being named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. This prestigious recognition of high accomplishment was bestowed ...

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

The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying report; which was ordered to lie on the table:To ...

The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 1141. An act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to ...

At 11:54 a.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which ...

The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Mrs. GILLIBRAND (for herself, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. ...

S. 20 At the request of Mr. Hatch, the name of the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Shelby) was added as a cosponsor of S. 20, a bill to protect American ...

Without objection, it is so ordered.

SENATE RESOLUTION 353--CONGRATULATING THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2011 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION TITLE Mr. CONRAD (for himself and Mr. ...

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 2:15 p.m. in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate ...

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 353.

The resolution (S. Res. 353) was agreed to.

The clerk will report the resolution by title.

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

The bill clerk read as follows:

Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until 8:30 p.m.

The Senate will proceed to the Hall of the House of Representatives to hear a message from the President of the United States of America.

At the conclusion of the joint session of the two Houses, and in accordance with the order previously entered, at 10:23 p.m., the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 26, 2012, ...

The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1791 and the bill be referred to the Committee on Environment ...

Madam President, the next vote will be on Thursday at 12 p.m. on the motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 98.

Executive nominations received by the Senate: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE JESSICA LYNN WRIGHT, OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, VICE DENNIS M. MCCARTHY, RESIGNED. JAMES N. MILLER, JR., ...

The House met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Paulsen).

Pursuant to the order of the House of January 17, 2012, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning-hour debate.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life, leadership, and legacy of our former colleague and a friend of many in this house, Congressman Ed Jenkins.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Schmidt) for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, today I really just want to say thank you to a young woman who for the last time in her legislative career as a Member of Congress will ...

Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. Speaker, Chicago is a city of many treasures. From the architecture to the museums and cultural institutions, from the sports teams to our food, there are many, many reasons ...

Mr. Speaker, I know in just listening to some of the comments that I'm joined by I think all of my colleagues in welcoming Gabby Giffords back to this body ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sally White, a remarkable young lady from the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama who was a recent recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal ...

Mr. Speaker, all around the Hill today, you will see Members of Congress wearing a red button, ``1,000 Days,'' a reminder that it has been 1,000 days since the United ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern that Republicans are attempting to penalize unemployed American citizens who do not have a high school diploma. Last month, House Republicans ...

Mr. Speaker, starting January 29 of this year, Catholic schools across the country will initiate their annual observance of Catholic Schools Week. The theme for this year is ``Catholic Schools: ...

As the founder of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, I rise again today to remind this body about the crisis of poverty in America, which really should prick the ...

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the life of Ed Jenkins, a fellow Georgian, a dedicated public servant, and a good friend. I had the honor of serving ...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman John Lewis and his staff for reserving time this morning for Members of the House to come to the floor to pay ...

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) for 5 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow) for 1 minute.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for 5 minutes.

I would like to request the Chair recognize me for 5 minutes.

Could the Chair tell me what request you might entertain so I can share my views for the late Ed Jenkins?

The Chair cannot entertain the gentleman's request.

Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) for 5 minutes.

Reverend Dr. Kate Braestrup, Maine Warden Service, Lincolnville, Maine, offered the following prayer: St. Francis of Assisi advises us to pray constantly. If necessary, he says, use words. God, our ...

Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the House in recess until noon today.

Mr. Speaker, tonight, when we listen to the President give his State of the Union speech, one of our colleagues, unfortunately, will not be here, and that is Senator Mark ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the distinguished life of Sergeant John Baker, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, last November I hosted a jobs fair in New York's Hudson Valley. A thousand local residents came to meet with nearly 40 local employers, all seeking work, of ...

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

Mr. Speaker, we have now reached a thousand days since the Congress of the United States has adopted a budget. It's not the fault of the House of Representatives. We ...

(Ms. HAYWORTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, it has been more than a year since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives. What do the American people have to show for it? We ...

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

Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak about something that is nearly 3 years in the making. Some 1,000 days ago, in April of 2009, the Senate passed a ...

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

Today I rise to address the importance of setting our priorities as a Congress.

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

(Ms. FUDGE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, January 28 at noon, Iraq war veterans will be honored by a returning heroes parade in downtown St. Louis. This is significant not only because these ...

Mr. Speaker, the President will deliver the State of the Union tonight. I expect to hear his vision of an America built to last.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk for a minute about some exciting developments in clean energy in my State of Maine.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduced legislation that would extend the SSI program to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam.

(Ms. HANABUSA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. Speaker, I brought a friend to the floor with me today. As we all know, this is Elmo. This guy taught us our 1, 2, 3s, but he also ...

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

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

In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2070 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to install at the World War II Memorial a plaque or inscription with the text of President Franklin Delano ...

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for their support. May I ask if the minority bill manager has any additional speakers? We do not.

The text of the bill is as follows:

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

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

The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2070, as amended.

Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I my consume.

I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding and for his service as a veteran and for what he has done for this country. I also thank the gentleman from ...

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 290 is a bill that would allow religious symbols to be included as part of memorials commemorating the service of the United States armed services. The legislation, ...

Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.

There was no objection.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 290) to amend title 36, United States Code, to ensure that memorials commemorating the service of the ...

Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored and proud to be here today as a cosponsor of this bill. This is a bill that will protect and defend religious symbols on ...

The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.

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

In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

Mr. Speaker, may I ask if the minority bill manager has any additional speakers? We do not.

The text of the bill is as follows:

Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1022) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and ...

I reserve the balance of my time.

The question was taken.

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

There was no objection.

I yield another 1 minute to the gentlewoman.

The text of the bill is as follows:

The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

There was no objection.

I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.

Does the gentleman have any further requests for time?

I thank the gentleman from Illinois. This compromise only reminds me of how much I regret that he has decided to retire. He was such a valuable chair of our ...

Mr. Speaker, let me commend Chairman Mica and Chairman Petri for working in a bipartisan way. We've attempted to work with the other body in working on an agreement. We ...

Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) each will control 20 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3800) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of ...

The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3800.

Mr. SESSIONS, from the Committee on Rules, submitted a privileged report (Rept. No. 112-375) on the resolution (H. Res. 522) providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1173) to repeal ...

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings will resume on questions previously postponed. Votes will be taken in the following order:

The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 410, nays 1, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 21, as follows:

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

[Roll No. 7] YEAS--410 Ackerman Adams Aderholt Akin Alexander Altmire Amash Amodei Andrews Austria Baca Bachmann Bachus Baldwin Barletta Barrow Bartlett Barton (TX) Bass (CA) Bass (NH) Becerra Benishek Berg ...

[Roll No. 8] YEAS--386 Ackerman Adams Aderholt Alexander Altmire Amash Amodei Andrews Austria Baca Bachmann Bachus Baldwin Barletta Barrow Bartlett Barton (TX) Bass (CA) Bass (NH) Benishek Berg Berkley Biggert ...

There are 2 minutes remaining.

The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 386, nays 26, not voting 21, as follows:

[Roll No. 9] YEAS--397 Ackerman Adams Akin Alexander Altmire Amodei Andrews Austria Baca Bachus Baldwin Barletta Barrow Bartlett Barton (TX) Bass (CA) Bass (NH) Becerra Benishek Berg Berkley Biggert Bilbray ...

The question is on the motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3261.

There was no objection.

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

After consultation among the Speaker and the majority and minority leaders, and with their consent, the Chair announces that, when the two Houses meet tonight in joint session to hear ...

Mr. Speaker, I move that the message of the President be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered printed.

By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to: Mr. Brady of Texas (at the request of Mr. Cantor) for January 23 and for the balance of the week on ...

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: 4661. A letter from the Congressional Review Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, transmitting ...

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 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions as follows: H.R. 12: Mr. Carson of Indiana. H.R. 57: Mr. Barletta. H.R. 104: Mr. Schilling, ...

Mr. Speaker, below is the text of a detailed report of a speech given on the floor of the House of Representatives that I believe will be of interest to ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor F. John White. Mr. White, the Chief Executive Officer of Public Financial Management, Inc. and a member of its Board of Directors, will ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a landmark event in history known as ``Black January''. This was a day when Azerbaijani citizens stood up to the Soviet government and ...

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize the Carroll Senior High School Dragon football team for winning the 2011 Class 5A Division I Texas State Championship title.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the St. Ignatius Football Team, which won the 2011 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division I State Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I unfortunately missed three votes on the afternoon of January 18, 2012, which included rollcall votes 2, 3, and

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Micheline ``Mickey'' Benedict as she retires after 50 years of service at St. Ignatius High School as Director of Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Louis Roney, who has devoted his life both as a performing artist and in support of the arts. Throughout his career ...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mayor David W. Smith who is retiring after serving 33 years as the Mayor of the city of Newark, California.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fine patriot and noble member of his community, Mr. Bennie Dotson. Mr. Dotson was born September 9, 1923, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He ...