House of Representatives

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

House of Representatives D102 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST February 8, 2021 House of Representatives Chamber Action House Committee on the Budget, Full Committee, business meet- Public Bills Introduced: 56 public bills, were in- ing on Consideration of Rules of the Committee on the troduced. Pages H479–83 Budget for the 117th Congress, 11 a.m., Webex. Additional Cosponsors: Page H484 Committee on Education and Labor, Full Committee, markup on Committee Print to comply with reconcili- Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today. ation directives included in section 2001 (b) of the Con- Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment current Resolutions on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, of silence in remembrance of the late Honorable Ron H. Con. Res. 11 and S. Con. Res. 5, 2 p.m., Webex. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Committee on Envi- Wright of Texas. Page H473 ronment and Climate Change, hearing entitled, ‘‘Back in Whole Number of the House: The Speaker an- Action: Restoring Federal Climate Leadership’’, 12 p.m., nounced to the House that, in light of the passing Webex. of the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Wright, the whole Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Con- number of the House is 431. Page H473 stitution Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, hearing entitled ‘‘Constitutional Means to Prevent Abuse of the Clemency Quorum Calls—Votes: There were no Yea and Nay Power’’, 9 a.m., Webex. votes, and there were no Recorded votes. There were Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sub- no quorum calls. committee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Adjournment: The House met at 2 p.m. and ad- hearing entitled ‘‘State of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Impacts of the COVID–19 Pandemic’’, 11 a.m., 2167 journed at 2:04 p.m. Rayburn and Webex. f Committee Meetings CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of February 9 through February 12, 2021 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Senate Chamber Committee on Education and Labor: Full Committee On Tuesday, Senate will resume consideration of held an organizational meeting. The Committee the Article of Impeachment against Donald John adopted its rules for the 117th Congress, and ap- Trump, former President of the United States. proved subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and During the balance of the week, Senate may con- assignments. sider any cleared legislative and executive business. Senate Committees Joint Meetings (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) No joint committee meetings were held. Committee on the Budget: February 10, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Neera Tanden, of Massa- f chusetts, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 10 a.m., SD–608. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR TUESDAY, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Feb- FEBRUARY 9, 2021 ruary 11, organizational business meeting for the 117th (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Congress, 10 a.m., SD–G50. Committee on Environment and Public Works: February 9, Senate organizational business meeting to consider committee rules, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by Committee on Environment and Public Works: organiza- the committee for the 117th Congress, and the nomina- tional business meeting to consider committee rules, an tion of Michael Stanley Regan, of North Carolina, to be original resolution authorizing expenditures by the com- Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, mittee for the 117th Congress, and the nomination of 10 a.m., SR–325. Michael Stanley Regan, of North Carolina, to be Admin- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Feb- istrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 a.m., ruary 11, business meeting to consider the nominations SR–325. of Miguel A. Cardona, of Connecticut, to be Secretary of Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Education, and Martin Joseph Walsh, of Massachusetts, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Neera to be Secretary of Labor, 10 a.m., SD–430. Tanden, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the Office of Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Management and Budget, 9:15 a.m., SD–342. February 9, to hold hearings to examine the nomination VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:15 Feb 09, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D08FE1.REC D08FEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST February 8, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D103 of Neera Tanden, of Massachusetts, to be Director of the 680, H.R. 739, and H.R. 785, 2 p.m., 2141 Rayburn Office of Management and Budget, 9:15 a.m., SD–342. and Webex. February 11, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citi- House Committees zenship, hearing entitled ‘‘The U.S. Immigration System: Committee on Agriculture, February 10, Full Committee, The Need for Bold Reforms’’, 2:15 p.m., 2141 Rayburn organizational meeting and business meeting on a pro- and Webex. posal to satisfy the Committee’s reconciliation instruc- Committee on Small Business, February 10, Full Com- mittee, markup on Committee Print providing for rec- tions as required by S. Con. Res. 5, 2 p.m., Webex. onciliation pursuant to S. Con. Res. 5, the Concurrent Committee on Financial Services, February 10, Full Com- Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, 5 p.m., mittee, markup on Committee Print of Providing for rec- 2360 Rayburn and Webex. onciliation pursuant to S. Con. Res. 5, the Concurrent Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, February Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021;and legis- 10, Full Committee, markup on legislation on proposals lation to comply with the reconciliation directive in- to comply with the reconciliation directive included in cluded in section 2001 of the Concurrent Resolution on section 2001 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, S. Con. Res. 5, 12 p.m., for Fiscal Year 2021, S. Con. Res. 5, 11 a.m., 2167 Ray- 2128 Rayburn and Webex. burn and Webex. Committee on Homeland Security, February 10, Full Com- Committee on Ways and Means, February 10, Full Com- mittee, hearing entitled ‘‘Homeland Cybersecurity: As- mittee, begin markup on legislation on proposals to com- sessing Cyber Threats and Building Resilience’’, 2 p.m., ply with the reconciliation directive included in Section Webex. 2001 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fis- Committee on House Administration, February 10, Full cal Year 2021, S. Con. Res. 5, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth Committee, organizational meeting, 1 p.m., Webex. and Webex. Committee on the Judiciary, February 11, Subcommittee February 11, Full Committee, continue markup on leg- on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law, hear- islation on proposals to comply with the reconciliation di- ing entitled ‘‘Justice Restored: Ending Forced Arbitration rective included in Section 2001 of the Concurrent Reso- and Protecting Fundamental Rights’’, 10 a.m., 2141 Ray- lution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, S. Con. Res. burn and Webex. 5, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth and Webex. February 11, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citi- February 12, Full Committee, continue markup on leg- zenship, business meeting on adoption of the Subcommit- islation on proposals to comply with the reconciliation di- tee’s Rules of Procedure and Statement of Policy for Pri- rective included in Section 2001 of the Concurrent Reso- vate Immigration Bills; and Request for a DHS Depart- lution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, S. Con. Res. mental Report on the Beneficiaries of H.R. 187, H.R. 5, 10 a.m., 1100 Longworth and Webex. VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:15 Feb 09, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D08FE1.REC D08FEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with DIGEST.
Recommended publications
  • 051205 Congress Reform
    SPECIAL PRESENTATION “A PROPOSAL TO MAKE CONGRESS WORK AGAIN: A PANEL DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES” MODERATOR: SCOTT LILLY, SENIOR FELLOW, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS FEATURING: REP. DAVID OBEY, (D-WI), RANKING MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS REP. BARNEY FRANK, (D-MA), RANKING MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES REP. DAVID PRICE, (D-NC), MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS REP. TOM ALLEN, (D-ME), MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE NORM ORNSTEIN, RESIDENT SCHOLAR, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE; COAUTHOR, BROKEN BRANCH 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2005 TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY DC TRANSCRIPTION & MEDIA REPURPOSING JOHN PODESTA: (In progress) – Center for American Progress. And I want to welcome you here for the presentation of “A Proposal to Make Congress Work Again.” I want to begin by welcoming our panelists. We’re joined, in addition to our senior fellow, Scott Lilly, by Congressman David Obey, Congressman Barney Frank, Congressman David Price, Congressman Tom Allen, and Norm Ornstein. I think that people on both sides of the aisle will join me in saying, in addition to these senior members and Norm, these are people who care about Congress, who care about the House, who indeed care about our democracy. And I think, as the title of this panel implies, “Making Congress Work Again” – I think it is clear that things on Capitol Hill, and I think particularly in the House of Representatives, have gotten seriously off-track. That’s why I think this package that these senior members have pulled together is so vital.
    [Show full text]
  • Tom Carper (D-De)
    LEGISLATOR US Senator TOM CARPER (D-DE) IN OFFICE CONTACT Up for re-election in 2018 Email Contact Form http://www.carper.senate. 3rd Term gov/public/index.cfm/ Re-elected in 2012 email-senator-carper SENIORITY RANK Web www.carper.senate.gov 24 http://www.carper.senate. gov Out of 100 Twitter @senatorcarper https://twitter.com/ senatorcarper Facebook View on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ tomcarper DC Office 513 Hart Senate Office Building BGOV BIOGRAPHY By Brian Nutting, Bloomberg News Tom Carper, described even by foes as a nice guy, makes an effort to seek bipartisan solutions to the nation’s problems and tries to work out differences on legislation in private consultations rather than fighting it out in public in committee or on the floor. Carper has been in public office since 1977, including 10 years in the House and two terms as Delaware’s governor before coming to the Senate. He says on his congressional website that he has “earned a reputation as a results-oriented centrist.” Still, his congressional voting record places him on the liberal side of the political spectrum, with a rating of about 90 percent from th Americans for Democratic Action and about 10 percent from the American Conservative Union. During his tenure on Capitol Hill, he has broken with party ranks a little more often than the average Democratic lawmaker, although not so much in the 113th Congress. He touts the virtues of pragmatism and bipartisanship. He’s a founder of the Third Way, a policy group that says its mission “is to advance moderate policy and political ideas,” and affiliates also with the Moderate Democrats Working Group, a group of about a dozen Senate Democrats, and the Democratic Leadership Council.
    [Show full text]
  • September 20, 2006
    FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND RESEARCH This Week in Washington JUNE 8 – JUNE 12, 2015 Joshua Westfall, Editor [email protected] Prepared for the Council on Undergraduate Research This Week in Washington, a weekly publication of WPLLC, provides an overview of upcoming events in Washington, D.C. that are relevant to CUR’s interests. Please use the bookmarks below to navigate to your area of interest. Weekly Calendar Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Future Hearings & Events On The Floor This Week Bills To Watch Important Links About WPLLC Weekly Calendar MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 Women in Engineering and Computing Subject: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Google will host an event, “Solving the Equation: The Variables for Women’s Success in Engineering and Computing.” Participants: Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD); Jo Handelsman, associate director for science, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Jennifer Kuhn, executive director of public affairs, AT&T; and Paige Smith, director, Women in Engineering Program, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland. Time and Location: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; 25 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC. Contact: Register here. National Board for Education Sciences Open Meeting Subject: The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) will hold an open meeting. Time and Location: 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.; 80 F Street, NW, Large Board Room, Washington, DC. Contact: Find more information here. Undergraduate Instruction Subject: The National Research Council of the National Academies will host a webinar to discuss the report, “Reaching Students: Putting the Book to Work to Improve Undergraduate Instruction.” Participants: Susan Singer, National Science Foundation; Eric Brewe, professor of physics, Florida International University; Melanie Cooper, professor of science education, professor of chemistry, Michigan State University; and Kaatje Kraft, professor geology, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA.
    [Show full text]
  • The Speech Or Debate Clause and the Unenforceable Stock Act
    Copyright 2014 by Anna Fodor Printed in U.S.A. Vol. 108, No. 2 Notes and Comments CONGRESSIONAL ARBITRAGE AT THE EXECUTIVE’S EXPENSE: THE SPEECH OR DEBATE CLAUSE AND THE UNENFORCEABLE STOCK ACT Anna Fodor ABSTRACT—In early 2012, Congress passed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. The STOCK Act explicitly prohibits members of Congress and their staff from trading on material, nonpublic information received because of their status. The Act leaves enforcement of its provisions to the Executive Branch. However, the Speech or Debate Clause and recent case law interpreting the Clause’s legislative privilege create roadblocks to the Executive’s ability to effectively enforce the Act against a member of Congress. Given the obstacles to effective enforcement, the STOCK Act creates a risk-free opportunity for political gain by the Legislative Branch while positioning the Executive to pursue hamstrung prosecutions. Congress’s arbitrage opportunity thus comes at the expense of the Executive and threatens the balance and separation of powers. This Note argues that if legislative privilege is understood as an institutional privilege of Congress as a body rather than an individual privilege of each member of Congress, the courts may recognize a congressional waiver of all members’ legislative privilege as applied to the STOCK Act. Such a waiver would restore the ability of the Executive to effectively enforce the STOCK Act and would alleviate separation of powers concerns. AUTHOR—J.D. Candidate, Northwestern University School of Law, 2014; M.A., Binghamton University, 2007; B.A., Binghamton University, 2006. Special thanks to Professor Erin Fielding Delaney and Professor James Pfander, to Nathan Brenner, Abigail Bunce, Christopher Michail, Lia Pernell, Chloe Rossen, Lindsey Simon, Jeff VanDam, the Northwestern University Law Review editors and staff, and to my family.
    [Show full text]
  • July 20, 2021 the Honorable Mitch Mcconnell the Honorable John Thune Senate Minority Leader Senate Minority Whip S-230, The
    July 20, 2021 The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable John Thune Senate Minority Leader Senate Minority Whip S-230, The Capitol S-208, The Capitol Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable John Barrasso The Honorable Roy Blunt Senate Republican Conference Chairman Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair 405 Hart Senate Office Building 347 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senate Republican Leadership, As the Senate continues its work on a surface transportation reauthorization bill and negotiates the details of a bipartisan infrastructure package, we ask that members of the Republican Conference take a stand against any proposal to increase minimum liability insurance requirements for motor carriers. Such an increase is wholly unnecessary, would do nothing to improve highway safety, needlessly jeopardize countless blue collar jobs, and destroy many small, family-owned businesses. Increasing motor carriers’ minimum liability requirements would affect all businesses transporting property, not just long-haul trucking operations. As illustrated by the diversity of our coalition, the impact would be felt in many sectors of the economy that have been working to help our nation recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the agriculture, construction, manufacturing, towing, and materials industries. Raising insurance minimums for countless businesses engaged in trucking would undoubtedly cause many to shutter, leading to the loss of American jobs at the worst time possible. This policy clearly does not belong in legislation that is designed to rebuild our infrastructure and encourage economic growth. Furthermore, federal research has demonstrated such a change is entirely unnecessary. A Congressionally- required study has shown that the vast majority of truck-involved crashes have relatively small cost consequences, and the existing minimum of $750,000 covers costs in over 99% of crashes involving a commercial motor vehicle.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer Research Handbook
    Summer Research Handbook Brought to you by the Robert Crown Law Library Reference Librarians Summer 2020 p. 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 2 Guide Overview .............................................................................................................................. 5 Continuing Access to Resources FAQ ............................................................................................ 5 Summer Access & Contact Information: Westlaw Edge, Lexis Advance & Bloomberg Law .. 5 Summer Access to Stanford Resources ...................................................................................... 6 Contact the Reference Office .................................................................................................. 6 Current Students...................................................................................................................... 6 Graduated Students ................................................................................................................. 7 Legal Research Charts & Visuals ................................................................................................... 8 Legal Research Process............................................................................................................... 9 So You’ve Found a Statute . ................................................................................................. 10 So
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 117 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 117 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 167 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 No. 163 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was To these iconic images, history has school sweetheart, 4.1 GPA at Oakmont called to order by the Speaker pro tem- now added another: that of a young High School, ‘‘one pretty badass ma- pore (Mrs. DEMINGS). marine sergeant in full combat gear rine,’’ as her sister put it. She could f cradling a helpless infant in her arms have done anything she wanted, and amidst the unfolding chaos and peril in what she wanted most was to serve her DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO the besieged Kabul Airport and pro- country and to serve humanity. TEMPORE claiming: ‘‘I love my job.’’ Who else but a guardian angel amidst The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- The entire story of the war in Af- the chaos and violence of those last fore the House the following commu- ghanistan is told in this picture: the days in Kabul could look beyond all nication from the Speaker: sacrifices borne by young Americans that and look into the eyes of an infant WASHINGTON, DC, who volunteered to protect their coun- and proclaim: ‘‘I love my job’’? September 21, 2021. try from international terrorism, the Speaking of the fallen heroes of past I hereby appoint the Honorable VAL BUT- heroism of those who serve their coun- wars, James Michener asked the haunt- LER DEMINGS to act as Speaker pro tempore try even when their country failed ing question: Where do we get such on this day.
    [Show full text]
  • The Amending Process in the Senate
    The Amending Process in the Senate Christopher M. Davis Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process Updated September 16, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov 98-853 The Amending Process in the Senate Summary A bill is subject to amendment as soon as the Senate begins to consider it. Committee amendments are considered first; then Senators can offer amendments to any part of the bill, generally, in any order. Senators may debate each amendment without limit unless the Senate (1) agrees to a motion to table (kill) the amendment, (2) agrees to a unanimous consent request to limit debate on the amendment, or (3) invokes cloture, limiting debate on the amendment or on the bill and all amendments to it. There are several different types of amendments. A first-degree amendment proposes to change the text of the bill; a second-degree amendment proposes to change the text of a first-degree amendment that the Senate is considering. Third-degree amendments are not allowed. An amendment may propose to strike out language from a bill (or a first-degree amendment), insert new language, or replace language by striking out and inserting. In general, an amendment that proposes to replace the entire text of a bill is known as an amendment in the nature of a substitute; an amendment to replace the entire text of a first-degree amendment is known as a substitute amendment. An amendment, especially in the second degree, that makes some lesser change is known as a perfecting amendment. Depending on the kinds of amendments that Senators offer and the order in which they are recognized to offer their amendments, Senators can offer anywhere from three to 11 amendments before the Senate has to vote on any of them.
    [Show full text]
  • House Judiciary Mark-Up Transcript
    HJU104000 PAGE 1 1 ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY 2 HJU104000 3 MARKUP OF H.R. 1249, THE AMERICA INVENTS ACT 4 Thursday, April 14, 2011 5 House of Representatives 6 Committee on the Judiciary 7 Washington, D.C. 8 The committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:35 a.m., in 9 Room 2141, Rayburn Office Building, Hon. Lamar Smith 10 [chairman of the committee] presiding. 11 Present: Representatives Smith, Sensenbrenner, Coble, 12 Gallegly, Goodlatte, Lungren, Chabot, Issa, Pence, Forbes, 13 King, Franks, Gohmert, Jordan, Poe, Chaffetz, Griffin, 14 Marino, Gowdy, Ross, Adams, Quayle, Conyers, Berman, Nadler, 15 Scott, Watt, Lofgren, Jackson Lee, Waters, Cohen, Johnson, 16 Pierluisi, Quigley, Chu, Deutch, Sanchez, and Wasserman 17 Schultz. HJU104000 PAGE 2 18 Staff present: Sean McLaughlin, Chief of Staff; 19 Allison Halatei, Deputy Chief of Staff/Parliamentarian; 20 Sarah Kish, Clerk; Perry Apelbaum, Minority Staff Director; 21 and Chrystal Sheppard. 22 HJU104000 PAGE 3 23 Chairman Smith. [Presiding] The Judiciary Committee 24 will come to order. 25 Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare 26 recesses of the committee at any time. 27 The clerk will call the role to establish a quorum. 28 Ms. Kish. Mr. Smith? 29 Chairman Smith. Present 30 Ms. Kish. Mr. Sensenbrenner? 31 Mr. Sensenbrenner. Here. 32 Ms. Kish. Mr. Coble? 33 Mr. Gallegly? 34 Mr. Goodlatte? 35 Mr. Lungren? 36 Mr. Chabot? 37 Mr. Issa? 38 Mr. Pence? 39 Mr. Forbes? 40 Mr. King? 41 Mr. Franks? 42 Mr. Gohmert? 43 Mr. Gohmert. Here 44 Ms. Kish. Mr. Jordan? HJU104000 PAGE 4 45 Mr. Poe? 46 Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Congressional Appropriations Process: an Introduction
    The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction James V. Saturno, Coordinator Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process Bill Heniff Jr. Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process Megan S. Lynch Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process Updated November 30, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42388 The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction Summary Congress annually considers several appropriations measures, which provide discretionary funding for numerous activities—for example, national defense, education, and homeland security—as well as general government operations. Congress has developed certain rules and practices for the consideration of appropriations measures, referred to as the congressional appropriations process. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of this process. Appropriations measures are under the jurisdiction of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. In recent years these measures have provided approximately 35% to 39% of total federal spending. The remainder of federal spending comprises direct (or mandatory) spending, controlled by House and Senate legislative committees, and net interest on the public debt. The annual appropriations cycle is initiated with the President’s budget submission, which is due on the first Monday in February. This is followed by congressional consideration of a budget resolution that, in part, sets spending ceilings for the upcoming fiscal year. The target date for completion of the budget resolution is April 15. Committee and floor consideration of the annual appropriations bills occurs during the spring and summer months and may continue through the fall and winter until annual appropriations are enacted. Floor consideration of appropriations measures is subject to procedural rules that may limit the content of those measures and any amendments thereto.
    [Show full text]
  • September 20, 2019 Fear of Failure—Senate Republicans Bypass Committee to Avoid Loss on Global Gag Rule Amendment Faced with T
    September 20, 2019 Fear of Failure—Senate Republicans Bypass Committee to Avoid Loss on Global Gag Rule Amendment Faced with the prospect of losing a vote in the Appropriations Committee on a bipartisan amendment bolstering international family planning and reproductive health programs, the Republican leadership elected to take the State Department and foreign operations appropriations bill straight to the floor on Wednesday as part of a four-bill FY 2020 spending package, bypassing consideration by the Appropriations Committee entirely. As Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) asked in successfully arguing to defeat a cloture motion to debate the combined Defense, Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Energy and Water, and the State-Foreign Operations bill minibus, “Is this how we are operating now? Things get complicated and difficult so we just skip parts of the legislative process? This is no way to proceed.” The version of the State-Foreign Operations bill that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) sought to have the Senate debate is the “Chairman’s mark,” issued by Subcommittee Chair Lindsay Graham (R-SC). Under standard practice, subcommittee draft bills would be marked up by the full committee, with members of the committee being given the opportunity to offer amendments. However, both the State-Foreign Operations and the Labor-HHS bills were abruptly pulled from a full committee markup of the omnibus last Thursday when it became clear that there was bipartisan support for adoption of amendments, dubbed “poison pills” by Republicans, to repeal the Trump-Pence administration’s expanded Global Gag Rule (GGR) and its draconian domestic Title X gag rule in the respective bills.
    [Show full text]
  • House Committee Markups: Manual of Procedures and Procedural Strategies
    House Committee Markups: Manual of Procedures and Procedural Strategies ,name redacted, Senior Specialist in American National Government ,name redacted, Specialist on the Congress Updated March 27, 2018 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R41083 House Committee Markups: Manual of Procedures and Procedural Strategies Summary A principal responsibility of House committees is to conduct markups—to select legislation to consider, to debate it and vote on amendments to it (to mark up), and to report recommendations on passage to the House. This manual examines procedures and strategy related to committee markups and provides sample procedural scripts. A committee faces many decisions when it considers a policy matter in a markup. It must select what legislation to mark up; decide whether to mark up in committee only or in both subcommittee and committee; consider the effect of referral on the markup; choose how to report to the House; and take into account congressional and Administration sentiments. With policy and political considerations in mind, the committee plans its procedural strategy. The first element of a markup strategy is selection of a markup vehicle. A committee might mark up a measure as introduced, a version of the measure previously marked up in subcommittee, a draft prepared before, after, or without subcommittee markup, or an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Procedural and political consequences attach to each markup vehicle. Two parts of the manual deal with this element: Procedural Strategy and the Choice of a Markup Vehicle, and Beginning a Markup. The second element of a markup strategy is conduct of the amendment process.
    [Show full text]